The NSW economy grew 1.4 per cent in 2020-21, reflecting the State’s improved economic conditions following the bushfires, drought and the pre-Delta lockdown.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the State Accounts, issued by the ABS yesterday, showed the NSW economy was more than $18 billion larger in 2020-21 than pre-COVID, highlighting the State’s strong economic recovery to the end of June 2021.
“Even though COVID-19 has caused one of the worst economic contractions in the State’s history, the ABS data shows the fundamentals of our economy are strong and the Government’s economic stimulus measures are working,” Mr Kean.
“NSW business confidence hit a record high of +29 in October, as we achieved our 70 per cent and 80 per cent vaccination milestones quicker than expected and restrictions eased.
“By keeping people safe and rolling out around $45 billion in health response and economic support programs since March 2020, we invested in the fundamentals of our economy – our people, our businesses and our workers.
“Now we are seeing the returns of that investment, demonstrating the power of making sure the State’s finances are working for our economy and our people, not the other way around.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in the State’s future with our $2.8 billion Economic Recovery Strategy helping to accelerate the recovery.”
In the most recent payrolls summary, NSW reported the largest gain in weekly payrolls of all states, with a 3.5 per cent increase for the fortnight to 16 October.
While the nation lost 46,000 jobs in October, NSW employment rose by 22,000 people as NSW businesses increased staffing in the lead up to restrictions easing.
In November, consumer sentiment rose by 4.4 per cent to 107.9 index points to record the highest consumer sentiment in the country.
Author: admin
Historical offences to face modern justice
Perpetrators of sexual violence and other criminals who’ve evaded the criminal justice system for years, or even decades, will now face the prospect of tougher sentencing from NSW courts, which will no longer be bound by outdated sentencing practices.
Attorney General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Mark Speakman said the Government was drafting a bill that would require courts to apply current sentencing practices to all crimes, regardless of when they were committed.
“Right now, except for child sexual abuse, courts must apply sentencing patterns and practices related to the offence that were in place at the time the offence was committed, instead of at the time of sentencing,” Mr Speakman said.
“But sometimes those guideposts don’t reflect our community’s current stance on crimes – this is especially so for heinous acts like sexual assault or domestic violence.
“Asking courts to put themselves in the shoes of a judge years or decades earlier can be impractical, inefficient and produce inconsistent outcomes. Our bill will change this so people who committed offences years ago will be sentenced according to current practices.
“It’s unacceptable for an offender to get more lenient treatment, just because they’d dodged police detection, or their offence had not yet been reported by an often traumatised victim.
“While courts will still be guided by the maximum penalty and any standard non-parole period that existed at the time of the offence, historical offenders will now face the prospect of tougher penalties, particularly for crimes like sexual assault that are often reported later.”
The proposed reform comes after a NSW Government review of historical sentencing practices, which engaged legal experts, victims’ rights groups and law enforcement.
The move also follows 2018 legislation that ensures child sex offenders are sentenced according to contemporary practices. The 2018 Act came after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended legislation to ensure sentences for child sexual abuse are imposed according to practices that exist at the time of sentencing.
“This applies consistency to all offending so we won’t perpetuate any past errors by using old practices, which don’t align with contemporary attitudes or our current understanding of serious crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence,” Mr Speakman said.
Key stakeholders will be consulted on a draft exposure bill this year. Feedback will then be considered and a final bill will be introduced to NSW Parliament in 2022.
Sydney Modern project reaches new heights
The Sydney Modern Project, set to almost double the exhibition space of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and attract exhibitions from across the globe, has reached a construction milestone.
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for the Arts Don Harwin visited the site to mark the construction reaching its full height with a “topping out” ceremony today.
The Premier said the $344 million expansion would attract the world’s biggest touring collections and divert tourists from Brisbane and Melbourne to our city.
“Sydney is the cultural capital of Australia, this major expansion of our art gallery will attract tourists from around the world,” Mr Perrottet said.
“New York is synonymous with The Met, this investment will make our gallery a similarly iconic global attraction.
“Sydney Modern ensures our state remains on everyone’s ‘must see’ list, bringing jobs and business opportunities for our tourism industry, forming a key part of our vision for the future.”
The expansion will allow many warehoused artworks to be displayed and also provides a prominent new destination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks.
Mr Harwin said the transformation that is taking place at the Art Gallery of NSW is extraordinary.
“We are investing in our future by creating a world-class destination for art and culture. The remarkable Sydney Modern Project cements our city’s position as Australia’s arts capital,” Mr Harwin said.
“The project is a major investment in art, artists and culture and sends a strong signal of confidence for a vibrant and exciting future.”
Together with the NSW Government’s $244 million in funding, the Art Gallery has raised more than $100 million to support the expansion project.
It is the largest government and philanthropic arts partnership of its kind in Australia to date.
Art Gallery of New South Wales director Dr Michael Brand said it’s exciting to see the building take shape.
“We’re creating an indoor-outdoor campus set in the stunning landscape overlooking Sydney Harbour, on Gadigal Country, with exceptional art experiences for everyone to enjoy and only possible in Sydney,” Dr Brand said.
The Sydney Modern Project is Australia’s first museum to be awarded the highest rating for sustainable design with a 6-Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.
The project is expected to inject more than $1 billion into the NSW economy over 25 years and is expected to double the number of annual visits from one million to two million per year.
Man dies following fatal crash – Campvale
A man has died following a single vehicle crash in the Hunter Region today.
Just after 11:15am today (Saturday 20 November 2021), emergency services were called to Richardson Road, Campvale, following reports of a crash.
On arrival, police were told a car had left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 62-year-old man – was treated at the scene by members of the public and emergency services but died at the scene.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police operation concluded following peaceful protests in Sydney and Inner West
A police operation has now concluded following two authorised protests in the Sydney CBD and Newtown today.
A high-visibility operation was launched in response to the planned protests today (Saturday 20 November 2021), to ensure the safety of participants, as well as the community and local businesses.
The protests were authorised after NSW Police Force received a Form 1 prior to the events, which took place in Sydney’s CBD at 12pm and Newtown at 1pm today.
General duties officers from Sydney City Police Area Command, Inner West Police Area Command and across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), ODIN, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Mounted and Dog Unit.
No issues arose at the protests, with estimated crowd numbers reaching 120 people at the Newtown protest, and up to 10,000 people at the protest in the Sydney CBD.
No arrests were made, and no infringements were issued during the protests.
Two further protests, for which a Form 1 was not received and therefore unauthorised, took place at about 10.30am in Newcastle and 11am in Newtown.
A small group attended the unauthorised protests and they conducted without any incident.
Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said overall, police were pleased with crowd behaviour and the majority of attendees conducted a peaceful protest.
“NSW Police worked closely with other agencies to execute a widespread and robust police operation that extended across the Sydney CBD and inner west, and included a significant presence across major public transport routes and roads,” Assistant Commissioner Thurtell said.
“Overall, the protests were conducted peacefully with minimal disruption to the community, and I’m pleased to see that the vast majority of people complied with police directions.
“We take the safety of the community and our police officers extremely seriously and we are glad our policing response, supported by road and transport strategies, effectively resulted in peaceful protest activity.
“I want to thank the community who did the right thing today and acknowledge the more than 600 police officers who were deployed across the Sydney CBD and inner west for their professional response during today’s activities,” he said.
Newcastle joins #RacismNotWelcome street sign campaign
New street signs are being installed in key locations across Newcastle as part of a grassroots initiative to show that racism is not welcome within our community.
Council unanimously resolved in March, following a Lord Mayoral Minute, to support the #RacismNotWelcome campaign which is a national community-led initiative that acknowledges the existence of racism in the community and encourages anti-racist behaviour.
Image caption (L-R): Zara’s House Sister Diana Santleben, Zara’s House Financial Administrator Mary Amponsah, #RacismNotWelcome ambassador and former Socceroos Captain Craig Foster, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, and Zara’s House Project Coordinator Farida Baremgayabo.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle is a diverse and inclusive community with a proud multicultural history.
“Newcastle has a long and proud history as a progressive, welcoming city and is officially a Refugee Welcome Zone,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle has taken the lead in tackling racism and will consistently advocate when it comes to providing support for refugees and migrants settling in Newcastle.
“We are proud to join this grassroots campaign by erecting #RacismNotWelcome street signage and will continue to send out the powerful message that racism will not be tolerated in our community.”
Former Socceroos captain, human rights campaigner and #RacismNotWelcome ambassador Craig Foster said the street sign campaign was devised to get to the heart of communities where racism lives.
“The street signs are the physical manifestation of the underlying principle that racism exists, it is real, damaging and deeply harmful to many Australians and that we all have a responsibility to confront it, every day,” Mr Foster said.
“The path ahead for every local council and for us as a country is to proclaim loudly, publicly and visibly that we’re united together as people against division, against discrimination on all grounds and, in this context, race.
“I’d like to thank City of Newcastle for getting behind this important movement by declaring the Newcastle Local Government Area rejects discrimination of all kinds.”
The backing of the street sign campaign complements programs funded by City of Newcastle earlier this year to encourage the social inclusion of people from diverse background in our community. Under the Community Support Grants Program 2021, funding assisted a wide range of multicultural and community projects such as the Afghan Community Festival, Unity and Diversity Festival, Newcastle Arab Youth Festival, Multicultural Pop-Up Library, and Syrian Community Festival.
#RacismNotWelcome street signs will be erected in the following locations over the coming weeks:
· Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle Beach
· Corner of Council and Darby Street, Cooks Hill
· Newcastle Interchange, Hannell Street, Wickham
· Corner of Victoria Street and Maitland Road, Mayfield
· Corner of Beaumont Street and Donald Street, Hamilton
· Blue Gum Road, Jesmond
· Wallsend Library
· Hunter Stadium, Turton Road, Lambton
· John Hunter Hospital entrance road, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights.
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Community Services webpage
Further two charged following investigations into Newcastle fatal shooting
Homicide Squad detectives have charged a further two people following investigations into the fatal shooting of a man at Newcastle earlier this year.
About 12.45pm on Thursday 22 July 2021, emergency services were called to a unit at Darby Street, Cooks Hill, following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police located a 40-year-old man inside the unit with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
The man has been formally identified as Wesley ‘Wes’ Prentice from Rutherford.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Hibbard.
Following extensive investigations, a 35-year-old man was arrested near a caravan park at Bonny Hills on Sunday 1 August 2021.
He was charged over his alleged role in the incident and remains before the courts.
Following further investigations, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at Wickham Road, New Lambton, from 8.30am today (Friday 19 November 2021).
Several items relevant to the investigation were seized and will undergo further forensic examination.
Two people – a 38-year-old woman and 19-year-old man – were arrested during the operation.
The woman was charged with accessory after the fact to murder, while the man was charged with conceal serious indictable offence of other.
The pair were both refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today.
Man dies in fatal crash – Lake Macquarie
A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the state’s north yesterday.
About 1.30pm (Friday 19 November 2021), emergency services were called to Mirrabooka, about 9km east of Morisset, after reports of a crash.
Police believe the motorcycle was travelling along Dandaraga Road before it struck a caravan that was parked in the driveway of a home.
The rider died at the scene is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 31.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Liberal and ALP parties undermine Land Rights Act, say Greens
The Economic Empowerment Bill 2021 puts forward the most comprehensive changes in 45 years to the Australian Land Rights Act 1976. After successfully negotiating for the Bill to go to a full Inquiry, Senator Lidia Thorpe notes that 92% of submissions are against this bill.
“The Senate inquiry into the Bill has revealed a lack of consultation on this Bill and most stakeholders who gave evidence reject this Bill.”
“Most submissions call for the Bill to be axed, it’s telling that only the likes of the Mineral Council want this Bill to go ahead.”
“When the Morrison Government says that this Bill has been “co-designed,” what they mean is that it has been co-designed with hand picked organisations who have not consulted with the communities that they are supposed to represent.”
“Free, prior and informed consent means exactly what it says. Under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: all Traditional Owners have the right to decide what happens on their homelands.”
“This Bill makes it easier for mining and exploration to destroy Country, land, water, and sky.”
“This Bill should not be passed. The government must engage in extensive consultation that is underpinned by free, prior, and informed consent with all affected First Nations people, not just the ones it hand picked.” Said Thorpe.
Cowardly PM shelves corruption watchdog bill as government unravels
Reports that Scott Morrison will abandon his weak anti-corruption body until after the election shows that he never intended to do it in the first place.
Morrison promised that he would introduce a federal integrity commission more than 1000 days ago, but has since pulled every trick in the book to avoid meeting his commitment, and has refused to bring on the Greens bill for a strong corruption watchdog in the House despite it passing the Senate two years ago.
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
“It’s being reported today that Scott Morrison is abandoning his long-promised integrity commission legislation because he can’t be sure of support from his own backbench or his usually willing accomplices in One Nation.
“This suits him beautifully because it’s another excuse not to progress an integrity body.
“That the PM is prioritising a divisive bill about religious discrimination rather than a much-called-for body to clean up corruption is very telling. The PM has a lot of religion and not a lot of integrity.
“After 1000 days of delay and excuses, it’s perfectly clear the PM never really wanted to introduce a corruption watchdog, probably because more than half of his Cabinet would be facing serious questions about their integrity.
“This is the dodgiest, most secretive and most incompetent government in Australian history.
“The Greens bill for a strong, independent corruption watchdog with teeth passed the Senate two years ago. The PM has been running scared from it ever since. If the PM had any integrity at all, he would bring my bill on for debate and vote in the House, and we could have an effective federal corruption watchdog by Christmas.
“Far from being an ICAC-lite like the government’s phantom proposal, our bill would establish a strong, independent, effective body that allows for public hearings, retrospectivity and the ability to investigate anonymous tip-offs, balanced with appropriate safeguards and privacy provisions. It got top marks from the Centre for Public Integrity in a comparison of the various models. The PM should stop the charade of excuses and bring it on for debate.”