The Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity has today recommended that a judicial inquiry with the powers of a royal commission be established to examine whether the existing system of media regulation is fit‐for‐purpose and to investigate the concentration of media ownership in Australia.
The majority report of the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee further recommended a number of measures to be implemented in the meantime to ensure a diverse news media landscape and to protect public interest journalism and our democracy.
The inquiry was established by Greens Senator Hanson-Young in response to more than half a million Australians signing a petition started by former PM Kevin Rudd calling for the establishment of a royal commission into the Murdoch media dominance in Australia.
Today’s report is the culmination of almost 13 months of investigation by the senate inquiry which held five public hearings and received close to 10,000 submissions from members of the public, news organisations, businesses and corporations, experts and other stakeholders.
Committee Chair and Greens Media Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“More than a year ago, half a million Australians urged the parliament to establish a royal commission into the dominance of the Murdoch-media empire. In response, the Senate supported the Greens move to establish an inquiry and today we have a report that has concluded the call by more than half a million Aussies was warranted.
“The majority of the committee which undertook this 13-month-long inquiry, has recommended the establishment of a judicial inquiry with the powers and weight of royal commission into the state of media diversity and dominance in Australia. This is a move the parliament itself can make.
“It’s clear the regulatory system for media in this country is broken. Monopolies have been allowed to flourish in both traditional media and through online platforms. Mechanisms that should ensure accountability and responsible reporting are slow and ineffective and we are seeing a rise in misinformation that is causing serious harm in our community.
“During the course of this inquiry, the problems with the system became increasingly apparent with the dangerous rise in the spread of misinformation both through traditional media and online platforms. This simply cannot go unchecked and unregulated, the health of our communities and our democracy is at stake.
“The evidence that the Murdoch media empire is indeed a dangerous monopoly was heard loud and clear. From climate-denialism to gendered, partisan attacks, and providing a platform for racism and for covid disinformation, the impact of both concentration of media ownership and a failing regulatory system was obvious.
“Throughout the inquiry we heard about the many Australian journalists that produce high-quality, in-depth reporting with integrity and professionalism. It is those hard-working journalists that are being let down by a broken regulatory system and corporate culture inside news organisations that allows poor behaviour to flourish.
“Only an inquiry with the powers and weight of a royal commission can truly do this issue, so vital to our democracy, justice. The majority report also recommends a number of measures the government of the day should get on with implementing immediately to maintain public interest journalism and prevent a further decline of media diversity in Australia.
“The Greens moved for this inquiry and have long advocated for public interest journalism to be better protected. Today we are also releasing our election commitment to measures to strengthen media diversity in Australia. Further information on the policy can be found here.
“From providing emergency information about bushfires, health information during the pandemic and asking the tough questions about government integrity, quality journalism is at the heart of a functioning democracy.
“The Greens’ policies to properly fund our public broadcasters and save the ABC from attacks by the Morrison-Joyce Government, ensure stable funding for the independent newswire, and for the introduction of a Media Freedom Act, will go a long way to protecting public interest journalism and the fourth pillar of our democracy.”
Author: admin
Energy operator maps path to renewable superpower future: Greens
Liberal and Labor need to join with the Greens in making the energy operator’s plan for a renewable superpower a reality, Greens Leader Adam Bandt said today.
The draft Integrated System Plan released by the Australian Energy Market Operator includes 4 possible futures for the electricity grid, including a Hydrogen Superpower scenario which would see coal close within a decade.
The Hydrogen Superpower scenario models what is necessary to meet the Paris and Glasgow target of 1.5 degrees of warming, with massive investment in wind, solar, storage and transmission, and almost quadruples electricity demand to allow the electrification of homes, businesses, transport and industry and to underpin massive exports in hydrogen and ammonia.
Even the Step Change scenario sees coal being phased out much earlier than either Liberal or Labor plan for, meaning the major parties’ election policies keep coal in the system for much longer than necessary.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“Australia’s energy operator is showing we can become a renewable energy superpower and end our dependence on coal and gas, but government needs to act.
“Coal and gas can exit the system much sooner than either Labor or Liberal are planning. Labor and Liberal want to keep coal and gas in the system longer than necessary.
“Even AEMO’s more conservative Step Change scenario sees enormous amounts of coal go, but it won’t happen if Liberal and Labor intervene to keep coal in.
“The engineers can do it and the industry sees it coming, but Liberal and Labor are pushing against the tide, using public money to keep coal and gas in the system, locking in decades of emissions.”
Greens will not cower to Murdoch pressure and call on other parties to back regulatory reform
The Greens will go to the election fighting for a judicial inquiry into media regulation and ownership in Australia and will push for the inquiry in the next parliament and minority government.
Greens Spokesperson for Media and Chair of the Committee Inquiry into Media Diversity Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“We need a judicial inquiry with the powers of a Royal Commission because politicians and political parties are too weak-kneed in the face of Murdoch’s power and influence to make and break political careers.
“The public is urging us to have the courage to take on the serious issues of media diversity, disinformation and put in place a regulatory system that is hit for purpose.
“The Greens will push in next parliament and minority government for a judicial inquiry into media regulation and ownership.
“The Greens are the only party brave enough to stand up to the Murdoch-media empire and back the half a million Australians calling for a Royal Commission.
“The retreat by Labor shows just how much power News Corp wields in Australia. The monopoly of the Murdoch-media empire is a cancer on our democracy.
“After more than a year of taking an enormous amount of evidence, the majority of the committee concluded the regulatory system is broken and concentrated media ownership is a threat to our democracy.
“The majority report urges an independent judicial inquiry so that politics is left out of it and there is trust and integrity in the process. Labor’s disregard of their own senators’ support for the recommendations has shown just how necessary such independence is.”
An early Christmas gift for Men’s Sheds across Australia
The Morrison-Joyce Government is providing an early Christmas present to 166 Men’s Sheds across the country, who will receive a share of $500,000 to continue to support the health of men through the National Shed Development Programme (NSDP).
Many of the grants, of up to $10,000, will be used to purchase lifesaving defibrillators, IT equipment and provide training.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said there are more than 1,000 Men’s Sheds across the nation, and they play a vital role in preventing social isolation and mental ill health.
“Men’s Sheds offer thousands of men of all ages a safe and friendly environment where they can work on meaningful projects and build social connections,” Minister Hunt said.
“Since 2013, the Coalition Government has provided more than $6.4 million to support Men’s Sheds through the programme.”
The Government also took action to help alleviate social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic by prioritising applications for IT equipment and training, which helps to maintain friendships and connection to shed projects and reduces social isolation.
Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, said the Government awards grants to Men’s Sheds in three categories – health and wellbeing events, shed improvements, and tools and equipment.
“Many Sheds were forced to close their doors this year due to the pandemic, however that didn’t stop the shed community from staying connected. Coordinators made sure their members felt valued and part of a strong, positive community during such a difficult time,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Men’s Sheds are an integral part of their local communities and support many men in many ways. Our Government will continue to support regional and rural Men’s Sheds as part of our comprehensive approach to improving the health of Australian men.”
A Men’s Shed can range from purpose-built facilities, multipurpose buildings, or shared spaces that are used regularly to foster positive community spirit among men.
Sheds are able to apply for funding and grants up to a total of $10,000, with priority given to sheds in disadvantaged areas.
The NSDP provides funding to Men’s Sheds through a competitive grants process.
Applications for Round 23 of the NSDP will be opened in mid-January 2022.
More GPs for Local Clinics to Recruit, New Package to Attract Doctors to Rural
GP practices in towns throughout regional, rural and remote Australia will have more options and a larger pool of doctors to recruit from, following changes announced by the Morrison Joyce Government.
From 1 January 2022, there will be automatic access to the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification for regional and larger rural towns (MMM 3-4), to make it easier for areas to recruit more doctors.
The DPA classification identifies locations in Australia with a shortage of doctors. Currently, only rural and remote (MMM 5-7) communities receive automatic DPA status, with other MMM locations having to be assessed annually to see whether the health services for the population meet a service benchmark.
If access is under the benchmark, a town is classified as a DPA and clinics in that area can employ doctors subject to a moratorium, such as those who have trained overseas.
Students who have accepted a Commonwealth Supported Place in an Australian medical course in return for a commitment to work in a regional, rural and remote area at the end of their studies must also work in a DPA.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said this change would provide a real difference to patients across country Australia.
“Short term, this means that practices can begin reaching out to overseas doctors who want to move to the regions and practise there,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This change begins from 1 January 2022, and I know that regional and rural practices will be working hard to take full advantage of this significant change.”
Dr Gillespie said the DPA expansion would mean more regional and rural communities would have access to a GP in the short term.
“More rural and regional areas will be able to utilise the DPA system when recruiting doctors for their region, whether they be those who are wanting to move here from overseas or young doctors who have accepted a place in return for working in a regional area,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This change will help ensure rural and regional areas have a choice of more doctors to work in their local communities, leading to increased access to GP and primary care services for many thousands of Australians in regional and rural communities.”
The Morrison Joyce Government will also invest in a significant incentive for eligible doctors and nurse practitioners to practice in rural, remote or very remote areas of Australia, by eliminating all or part of their Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) debt subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the Government is acutely aware of the maldistribution of health workforce around the country and is implementing a range of policies to get more GPs, nurses and allied health professionals to areas where they are needed.
“This is just another measure that our government is using to attract more GPs to regional areas,” Minister Hunt said.
“Incentivising doctors and nurse practitioners to live and work outside of metropolitan areas will help improve access to quality health care for regional, rural and remote communities.”
“This new initiative shows that our government is serious about supporting doctors who genuinely commit to practise in regional, rural and remote towns, which offers continuity of care, instead of having an over-reliance on locums,” Dr Gillespie said.
“That’s why we have committed to a number of immediate initiatives to reward doctors and nurse practitioners for working in regional, rural and remote Australia.
“The Morrison Joyce Government is focused on delivering better outcomes, reducing access barriers and creating a flexible system that works for all Australians, regardless of where they live.
“This announcement continues to build on our Government’s Stronger Rural Health Strategy and our longstanding efforts to grow our own rural GP and medical workforce,” Dr Gillespie said.
Human biosecurity period extended
The human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will be extended for a further two months.
These arrangements, which have been in place since 18 March 2020 to protect Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue until 17 February 2022.
The extension of these arrangements made by the Governor-General was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.
Continuation of these arrangement will allow the important measures currently in place to continue as the Government continues to reopen Australia and act decisively to respond to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
The extension means the four existing emergency requirement Determinations will remain in force for the duration of the extension period, with the ability to be revoked at an earlier time, depending on medical advice.
These Determinations include:
- Mandatory pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights
- Restrictions on international travel from high risk countries
- Restrictions on outbound international travel for unvaccinated Australians
- Restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory (this Determination will be reviewed monthly).
These arrangements have been a significant contributing factor in Australia’s success in avoiding the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 seen in many other countries.
It has enabled Australia to respond quickly to moderate the number of inbound and outbound travellers, protect remote and indigenous communities from localised outbreaks, reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 on flights and at international airports in Australia and further manage the number of cases in quarantine facilities.
The human biosecurity emergency period ensures the appropriate legislative powers are available to the Australian Government as further information is gained and understood about Omicron, as well as to protect vulnerable communities in Australia.
As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these arrangements will be reviewed regularly to take into account the latest medical advice.
The Government continues to work constructively with the cruise ship industry, with whom we remain actively engaged alongside state and territory governments to enable a phased resumption of cruising in Australia on the basis of medical advice.
As part of this work, the Government will continually review, on a monthly basis, whether the current restrictions on cruise ships can be safely lifted or amended.
The measures in place under the Biosecurity Act 2015 can be repealed or amended at any time prior to the end of the human biosecurity emergency period and it will be continuously reviewed as a priority.
Roaring good time in store at Newcastle Museum as visitors vote for best dinosaur in show
The Local Government elections may be over, but there’s another ballot looming for Novocastrians this month when the latest exhibition opens at Newcastle Museum.
Visitors will be asked to cast their vote for the most compelling candidates as part of the Great Baby Dinosaur Show, a paleontological peek back in time presented in the tradition of an agricultural show.
The ticketed, family-friendly exhibition showcases a range of animatronic dinosaurs including pterosaurs, triceratops and velociraptors, which Newcastle Cr Carol Duncan said will deliver a much-needed dose of fun and frivolity this summer.
“Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the experience of the Great Baby Dinosaur Show, hearing the life-like dinosaurs roar and watching them move while carefully considering their vote for the ‘Best in Show’,” Cr Duncan said.
“The Museum’s staff have had fun preparing for this exhibition and taking on the role of judges for this giant baby competition, awarding ribbons for everything from the ‘Best Roar’ and ‘Coolest Spikes’ to the ‘Most Colourful Scales’, but now we need your help to decide who will take out the top prize, with the winner to be announced when the show finishes up on 12 March, 2022.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the Museum was excited to put this special dinosaur show together for the summer school holiday period.
“Dinosaur-themed exhibitions are always very popular with the community, and especially our younger residents, which is why our Museum staff were excited to be involved in curating this show,” Ms Baird said.
“While they’re here, visitors can also check out our other summer exhibition, Oh yeah, I forgot about that: A decade of change seen through the eyes of Mr Trevor Dickinson, Artist, which features more than 20 works by the much-loved Newcastle artist.”
The Great Baby Dinosaur Show opens to the public on 11 December 2021 and will remain on show until 12 March 2022, with tickets available now via the Newcastle Museum website.
A range of dinosaur products made by local producers are also on sale at the Visitor Information Centre so families can take home their own locally-generated souvenir of the exhibition.
Expanded small business relief now available
From today eligible sole traders, not-for-profit organisations and small businesses in NSW will be able to access up to $2,000 in relief to help them bounce back and get the economy firing again.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the increased and expanded grant would provide businesses with additional relief as part of the NSW COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy.
“From today, the Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate will increase from $1,500 to $2,000 and will now include road user tolls for business usage,” Mr Kean said.
“The rebate can be claimed against eligible NSW and local Government fees and charges that are required to run a business such as food authority licences, liquor licences, event fees and council rates.
“It’s been a tough year for sole traders and small operators and this is one more way the NSW Government is helping to keep businesses in business.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said 70,000 businesses had already lodged a claim under the initial scheme, saving more than $82 million since it was launched on 1 April 2021.
“The expanded Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate will be available to small businesses across the State, from your local electrician paying for their trade licence to the café on the corner setting up outdoor seating,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The expansion to cover road tolls paid since 1 March 2021 will be especially helpful to those businesses who spend a lot of time in the car, truck or van.
“Toll relief of up to $2,000 will have a significant impact on the bottom line for a small business.”
Business owners can apply for the rebate by logging into their Business Profile via the MyService NSW Account.
Once approved, businesses will be provided with a $2,000 digital voucher in their Business Profile which applicants can draw down on to offset the cost of Government expenses.
Simply lodge your proof of payment and the money will be refunded back into your bank account.
Small businesses which have already registered for the previous $1,500 Small Business Rebate program will not be required to re-register. Those businesses will receive an automatic $500 top-up to the digital voucher. New applicants will receive one $2,000 digital voucher.
Applications for the rebate from new businesses will open today. These businesses can submit claims as soon as their application has been approved.
For more information on how to apply, visit nsw.gov.au.
Greens: Reform the whole system to end political corruption
The Greens have announced a policy to reform the political system, clean up politics, and strengthen democracy. At the end of a bruising political year where the government remained unrepentant despite scandal after scandal, it’s clear a new approach is needed to restore public confidence in democracy.
The Greens have a plan to establish a strong, independent National Integrity Commission to hold politicians and public servants to account and to stop big corporations and the super rich from buying the political outcomes that favour them. Our Bill passed the Senate two years ago – in the time that has passed since, the case for an integrity commission has only gotten stronger.
But cleaning up politics is not just about weeding out corruption at the end. It’s about getting rid of the conditions that allow corruption and poor standards to flourish. The Greens will take a holistic approach to cleaning up politics by:
Cleaning up elections
- Introducing laws to stop misinformation and disinformation undermining public trust and compromising public debate
- Capping electoral spending so elections are not bought by parties with the deepest pockets
- Banning donations from dirty industries, capping all other donations, and requiring real time disclosure so people know who is funding the parties and candidates they vote for
- Initiating reforms to allow public servants and people in Australia with dual citizenship to run for election
- Implementing strategies to encourage a more diverse range of people to run for election so that our parliament better reflects our community
Cleaning up parliament
- Lifting parliamentary standards by implementing an enforceable Code of Conduct for all politicians and senior staff
- Strengthening Register of Interest disclosure requirements
- Strengthening the Lobbying Code of Conduct and publishing Ministers’ diaries, so we know who is influencing who
- Strengthening FOI laws so the public has access to information about how decisions are made
- Ensuring appointments to government agencies and advisory bodies are independent and based on merit
- Investigating new ways for public voices to be heard in parliamentary decision-making, with a new Public Interest Democracy Fund.
Cleaning up corruption
- Supporting the ANAO to audit relevant government programs to identify pork barrelling and corruption
- Introducing a strong, independent integrity commission that will:
- Have a broad remit to investigate potentially corrupt behaviour and extensive investigation powers
- Make politicians subject to the same investigation and enforcement powers as other public sector agencies
- Be able to act on tips off from the public
- Be able to investigate past behaviour of politicians
- Hold public hearings, where it is in the public interest to do so
- Provide strong protections for whistleblowers and journalists
Stopping politicians from ‘cleaning up’ when they leave parliament
- Stopping the revolving door between industry and politics with a stronger Lobbying Code of Conduct
- Preventing Ministers taking roles in industries they used to regulate within 5 years of leaving parliament
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
“Community confidence in political leaders is at an all-time low after years of scandals. Australians no longer trust the government to act in anything other than their own interests and the interests of their dodgy mates.
“Cleaning up politics is a big job and needs to start from the ground up. We need to catch and punish corrupt politicians, but we also need to remove the conditions that allow corruption to fester in the first place.
“The Greens’ robust, comprehensive plan will restore confidence in our democracy and give Australia a parliament that reflects the community it represents and acts in the public interest, not the interests of big corporations and the super rich.
“The Greens’ National Integrity Commission is a gold standard model that will hold politicians and public servants to account, root out corruption where it occurs, and protect those who come forward to report it.
“Everyone benefits from a culture of honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability in politics. It’s what people in Australia deserve, and only the Greens have a clear plan to deliver it.
Sports grant to improve water safety and help Aussies swim safely
The Morrison Government is investing in swimming and water safety education, encouraging more teachers into the pool to strengthen skills and save lives.
The national organisation for teaching swimming and water safety, AUSTSWIM, will receive $250,000 for its “Creating Jobs, Saving Lives” project which aims to address a shortage in swim and water safety teachers.
The project will focus on re-engaging with swimming teachers who have left the industry and support them to return to the water.
AUSTSWIM will share in $10.3 million spent on 36 new programs under Sport Australia’s Participation Grant program – providing more opportunities for Australians to connect with sport and get physically active.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the Morrison Government was proud to partner with AUSTSWIM.
“It’s estimated that COVID-19 lockdowns across Australia have resulted in more than 12 million missed swimming lessons over the past 18 months,” Minister Colbeck said.
“With restrictions easing, we want to ensure that the 162,500 children that have missed out on swimming and water safety lessons every week have the opportunity to get back in the water in a fun and safe environment.”
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, has been advocating for an intensive back to swimming program for kids across our country who have missed out on swim and survive programs and swimming lessons over the last two years due to lockdowns.
“It is extremely concerning that an estimated 250,000 swimming lessons have been missed each week as a result of the recent lockdowns in New South Wales. These are lessons that equip children with the lifelong skills they need to be safe in the water.”
“My swim school petition received thousands of signatures and I know many local schools such as Nepean Aquatic Centre and families across Western Sydney backed this important, local campaign.”
“I have strongly advocated for the Commonwealth Government to provide financial assistance to ensure our kids can access affordable swimming classes over the next two years and I will continue to fight for more support for our swim schools.”
“Having the ability to swim is an important life skill for every Australian and this grant will not only help increase participation in sport and physical activity across Lindsay but also provide employment opportunities for active licenced swimming teachers.” Said Ms McIntosh.
AUSTSWIM CEO Simon Weatherill said the initiative aims to bring the number of swim teachers back to pre-COVID levels.
“While demand for swimming and water safety lessons has recovered quickly, the training and accreditation of teachers has not kept pace, leading to a shortage in swimming and water safety teachers.”
Mr Weatherill said that funding received for the “Creating Jobs, Saving Lives” project will support 900 swim teachers by covering the costs associated with getting and maintaining their qualifications. The project will also connect teachers with local swim centres.
“Our focus is on retraining as many of these teachers as possible and getting them back in pools across Australia and delivering swim lessons. This will increase participation in swimming for Australians of all ages which will help reduce the number of preventable drownings and water related injuries.”
Sport Australia Acting CEO Rob Dalton said the Participation Grant program will help more Australians enjoy the social, personal and health benefits of being physically active.
“Through this grant program, we will support tens of thousands of Australians to get active and build a healthier and happier nation through sport.”
The Australian Government – through Sport Australia’s Participation Grant program – has invested $28.3 million over four years to support 98 sport and physical activity programs across Australia to provide more opportunities for Australians to connect or return to sport and physical activity.