If Scott Morrison was any kind of leader, purpose-built quarantine facilities would be up and running by now.
Instead, it again falls to a state Premier to fill the leadership vacuum, with Annastacia Palaszczuk committing to fast-tracking the purpose-built quarantine facility proposed at Wellcamp, near Toowoomba.
It’s been more than 18 months since the first COVID case in Australia.
Premier Palaszczuk proposed Wellcamp as a fit for purpose facility in January.
This project could be safely quarantining people right now.
Scott Morrison had two jobs this year – rolling out the vaccine and fixing quarantine.
He has fundamentally failed at both.
Quarantine is a Federal responsibility. With this Prime Minister, all responsibilities are always shipped to someone else.
If Scott Morrison had done his job – there would have been fewer than the 27 disastrous outbreaks from hotel quarantine.
If Scott Morrison had done his job – there wouldn’t be 38,000 stranded Australians left overseas desperate to get home.
If Scott Morrison had done his job – the extended, devastating lockdowns on the east coast wouldn’t be happening.
From the Prime Minister known for his “I don’t hold a hose” and “it’s not a race” style of accountability, today’s press conference was another shining example of his lack of leadership.
Now one can add “She has been at liberty to do that for months” and “Good for them, I wish them every success” to the litany of examples of this Prime Minister’s absence of leadership, revulsion at responsibility, and his reflexive avoidance of simply ever just doing his job.
Author: admin
Community at the heart of Aerotropolis
The NSW Government has welcomed a report from the Independent Community Commissioner for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis which outlines 40 recommendations to better support local landowners.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes appointed Professor Roberta Ryan to the role of Independent Community Commissioner in May to address the concerns of landowners in the area.
“The planning and delivery of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is one of the biggest projects in the state’s history and as a result is incredibly complex,” Mr Stokes said.
“We wanted to ensure that all voices were heard and Professor Ryan has done an outstanding job over the last few months by meeting with more than 100 landowners potentially affected by the rezoning plans.
“We’ve released an initial response to the Commissioner’s findings that commits to supporting most recommendations and we will provide a more detailed whole-of-government response in the next couple of months.”
Some recommendations require changes to planning controls and these will be considered as the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment finalises the planning framework, due to be completed by the end of this year.
Key recommendations supported by the Government include:
- Establishing the Independent Community Commissioner as an ongoing role to improve communication with landowners;
- Creating a Community Consultative Committee to provide an engagement forum for the community and improve communication with landowners; and
- Investigating adjustment of zoning boundaries and other changes as recommended in the report.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said it was critical for the Government to listen to the community and respond to their concerns.
“A vital part of the response right now is improving the way we communicate with landowners,” Mr Ayres said.
“We’ve extended the Commissioner’s role so Professor Ryan can continue to provide support to landowners.
“We’re also developing a Community Participation Plan and implementing other measures to provide a better pathway for the people of Western Sydney to participate in planning this new, world-class city.”
More information about the Independent Community Commissioner’s report, and the preliminary responses from the NSW Government is available here: https://bit.ly/3zkC007
$200 million support package for Not-for-Profits
The NSW Government has announced a $200 million support package for the Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector to help organisations faced with the financial impacts of the current restrictions.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government recognised many NFPs, which provide such vital support for the most vulnerable members of our community, were in need of more support themselves in this lockdown.
“NFPs in the social support and animal welfare sectors are in more demand than ever as we battle this Delta outbreak and this package will support those doing so much of the heavy lifting to help vulnerable communities in this pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
The funding initiative comes on top of the more than $5.1 billion, including $1 billion in Commonwealth support, announced by the NSW Government since the end of June.
“We’re continuously monitoring the impacts of this outbreak to see what adjustments or additional measures are needed,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Some NFPs did not meet the 30 per cent turnover threshold required for JobSaver so we’ve reduced that to 15 per cent for social support and animal welfare sectors, to ensure they can continue delivering the same level of service to those most in need.”
“We’ve also set up a $50 million Social Sector Support Fund to support vulnerable people and provide these NFPs with another avenue for financial assistance where they are experiencing increased demand for their services.”
The support package targets those NFPs providing social support and animal welfare with Service NSW and the Department of Communities and Justice to process applications from next month.
The Social Sector Support Fund will provide grants and direct payments to eligible NFPs and provide a Workforce Surge Payment to support social sector organisations to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks where staff have been furloughed.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the targeted support package includes measures designed to provide direct relief to organisations financially impacted by the pandemic.
“This support package is multilayered in recognition of the diversity of our social services organisations which are working tirelessly to support the most vulnerable people in our community during this challenging time,” Mr Henskens said.
“This investment will deliver targeted financial support to organisations to help ensure the continuity of the important services they provide to those most in need.”
Further details will become available in the coming weeks.
New freedoms for vaccinated – first step on state roadmap out of COVID
People across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs.
This is the first step in the roadmap and further freedoms will follow for those who have had the jab when the state hits new vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.
Following consultation with Dr Kerry Chant and her team, as well as the NSW Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright, the following individual freedoms will be allowed for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:
- For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
- For those who live in the LGAs of concern households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the millions of people across NSW who came forward to receive their vaccine, helping hit the six million doses target.
“We are so grateful for every person who comes forward to get vaccinated because the more jabs we get into arms, the sooner we can lift restrictions,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We appreciate the community’s patience in the lead up to 13 September, this additional time will allow the recent surge of vaccines to take effect.”
As part of the roadmap when the following targets are hit, freedoms will be as follows:
- 70 per cent full vaccination: a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions to be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
- 80 per cent full vaccination: further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.
The government is also investigating trials of certain industries in coming months, as a proof-of-concept measure to prepare the businesses to open up and operate in a COVID-safe way.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this roadmap is our path to freedom and is our biggest incentive yet to get vaccinated so we can return to a level of normality.
“The roadmap announced today outlines a clear pathway forward in which a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions will be lifted for those that are fully vaccinated when NSW hits 70 per cent,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Having a meal with loved ones, or having a drink with friends is just around the corner, but to get there, we need to keep up momentum in the vaccination rollout.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said two doses of the vaccine not only helps protect people from hospitalisation and death, but also helps reduce transmission.
“Two vaccine doses leads to around a 90 per cent overall reduction in transmission of the virus,” Mr Hazzard.
If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.
There are several options to receive your ‘proof of COVID-19 vaccination’:
- Download your COVID-19 digital certificate via the Express Plus Medicare mobile app or your Medicare online account through myGov.
- You can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
- Instructions are available on the Services Australia website.
- If you can’t get proof online, your vaccination provider can print your immunisation history statement for you.
- Call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm) and ask for your statement to be sent to you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post.
- If you’re not eligible for Medicare you can call the Australian Immunisation Register and request your certificate be mailed to you or add your COVID-19 certificate to your digital wallet using the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service (IHI service) through myGov.
For the latest information visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19
NSW first to mandate COVID-19 jabs for all health staff
Healthcare workers in NSW will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help ensure the safety of colleagues and patients in all public and private hospitals.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the Public Health Order, health staff must have a first dose of vaccine by 30 September 2021 and be fully vaccinated by 30 November 2021, or at least have their second appointment booked to continue working.
“Many health workers in NSW are already vaccinated but if all of our staff are vaccinated it will provide greater protection for patients, visitors and other health staff,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It will also ease pressure on our health system during this challenging time. More than 1,200 healthcare workers have been in isolation each day over the past seven days and we cannot afford that right now. Vaccinations will help ensure our fantastic staff can continue to care for patients.
“The public and private health systems have a responsibility to implement every possible measure to provide a safe work environment for their staff and most importantly, safe circumstances for their patients.”
Frontline health staff and their families have had priority access to COVID-19 vaccines since the commencement of the Federal Government’s vaccination rollout in February.
National Cabinet agreed in June to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for aged care workers. NSW will now ensure the same protections exist for all our health workers.
Already in NSW, mandatory vaccinations for frontline health staff are required for contagious diseases including influenza, chicken pox, measles and whooping cough.
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination will apply to all NSW Health staff, as although NSW Health employs staff across a wide range of settings and organisations, these staff work together for many reasons, particularly during a pandemic.
“The great news is eight in 10 (80 per cent) of all NSW Health staff have already had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination,” Mr Hazzard said.
NSW Health has consulted with unions, peak bodies and private health providers about mandatory vaccination. We will all work together to help staff meet this obligation.
Staff will be required to provide evidence they have received their first dose to their employer by 30 September 2021 or they will be excluded from the workplace.
Those who have a medical contraindication will be exempt if a medical practitioner confirms the medical contraindication.
Royal Commission Confidentiality & Whistleblower Protections Pass the Senate
The Greens and the disability community have achieved another huge win!
After years of raising the alarm that the confidentiality provisions in the Disability Royal Commission are insufficient, the disability community, alongside Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, have locked in amendments that will allow those with confidential information to come forward to the Disability Royal Commission with trust.
The Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of disabled people was established in 2019. The changes that passed the Senate today, will ensure that information provided to the Commission in confidence, will remain confidential after the Royal Commission ends, and there are stronger protections for those who expose the failings of organisations such as a government department, corporations, or institutions.
Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, Disability Rights & Services Spokesperson said:
“Together, The Greens and the Disability Community have again demonstrated our power, and have succeeded in getting outcomes that will improve the lives of disabled people.
“The changes that passed the Senate, will give disabled people security that the information they give to the Disability Royal Commission will remain confidential over time. These changes also enact stronger protections for folks who bravely come forward to blow the whistle, exposing the failings of organisations such as government departments, corporations, or institutions.
“The Greens are encouraging everyone to share their experience of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation with the Commission. They need to hear from all of us to get a total picture of violence, abuse and neglect that is occurring in all settings all across the country.
“At the next election, with a small change in the vote, The Greens can be in balance of power. The Greens, alongside the community, have already achieved so much for the disability community, and in the balance of power we will prioritise ensuring all disabled people are able to access the NDIS quickly, where ever they are across the country, and we will be in a position to ensure the recommendations that will be made by the Royal Commission are implemented thoroughly and quickly.”
Labor joins the Liberals to lock in climate bomb fracking rort
The Australian Greens have savaged Labor’s decision to vote with the Liberals today in the Senate to spend public money opening up massive gas fields in the Beetaloo Basin, saying the move raised questions as to whether Labor still believes the climate crisis is real.
If Labor had voted with the Greens and crossbench, the fund would have been abolished, given the numbers in the Senate. Labor is responsible for the continued existence of the $50 million Beetaloo Co-operative Drilling Program to open up new gas projects.
The Greens have vowed to revisit the issue when Parliament meets again in October, and off the back of the Labor party writing to the Auditor-General to investigate the fund they support, the Australian Greens have also written to the ANAO asking for this work to be completed before the next and final vote.
The fund is being used to funnel money to a donor to Liberal and Labor. Major grant beneficiary Empire Energy’s majority shareholder is billionaire Dale Elphinstone, a regular donor to the Liberal Party and a Liberal Party Life Member. Empire Energy also donated $25,000 to both the Northern Territory Labor Party and Country Liberal Party during the 2020 territory election.
There is almost 70 years’ worth of Australia’s emissions in the NT gas basins and fracking the NT will lift our own annual emissions by up to 6%.
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP said:
“In the middle of a climate crisis, Labor is backing the Liberals using public money to open up new gas fields.
“Gas is as dirty as coal. Labor’s decision to vote with the Liberals to open up new gas fields makes you wonder if they accept the science of climate change.
“Scientists are screaming at us to keep coal, oil and gas in the ground, but Labor and Liberal have just used public money to open up massive gas reserves, lighting the fuse on a giant climate bomb.
“This is a climate crime. Public money should go to schools and hospitals, not Liberal and Labor corporate gas donors who are cooking our future.
“It is clear the Liberals have to be kicked out, but Labor can’t be trusted to act on the climate crisis, so we need to put the Greens in balance of power in both houses of Parliament.
“If Labor had voted with the Greens instead of the Liberals, we would have won. We had the numbers.
“It is Labor who has allowed this climate crime to happen.
“It’s not too late for Labor to change their mind and defuse this climate bomb, with a final disallowance vote set for 19 October.”
Australian Greens Leader in the Senate, Senator Larissa Waters said:
“Labor talks a big game on climate, but their track record falls well short of their rhetoric. Time after time, presented with the opportunity to stand up to this dodgy government and fight for climate action, they turn tail and run.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t expect much more from a party that can’t even commit to a 2030 ermissions reduction target, and a party that pockets millions in donations from gas and coal companies.
“Senator Watt said that if people want to know where Labor stands they should look to their policy platform. Well, I think people are going to be looking at Labor’s voting record, and I think they’ll see quite clearly that when Labor had the chance to stop public money going to a climate-wrecking project they didn’t take it.
“By siding with the Libs to give money to a major donor to frack the Northern Territory, against the explicit wishes of Traditional Owners, Labor is giving First Nations people and all Australians a clear and unambiguous message: ‘We don’t care about you.’”
Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Senate should have put an end to this rort today.
“It’s disappointing the Labor Party can identify all the ways in which this program is dodgy yet has allowed it to continue.
“Millions of dollars of taxpayer money is destined for a bunch of gas cowboys to create a climate bomb and due to Labor’s capitulation, now even more money will be handed out under this dodgy program.
“The evidence uncovered by the Senate Inquiry into this program showed there was no proper due-diligence, a $21m cheque was handed over on a ‘first in, first served’ basis and the recipient is a donor to the Liberal Party.
“The Greens will keep fighting to put a stop to this program because not only is the taxpayer being rorted, our climate is being ripped off too.”
Supporting more small and medium sized businesses to access funding
The Morrison Government is providing additional support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) who continue to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis by expanding eligibility for the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.
In recognition of the continued economic impacts of COVID-19, the Government will remove requirements for SMEs to have received JobKeeper during the March quarter of 2021 or to have been a flood affected business in order to be eligible under the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.
As with the existing scheme, SMEs who are dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus with a turnover of less than $250 million will be able to access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years. Other key features of the SME Recovery Loan Scheme include:
- The Government guarantee will be 80 per cent of the loan amount.
- Lenders are allowed to offer borrowers a repayment holiday of up to 24 months.
- Loans can be used for a broad range of business purposes, including to support investment.
- Loans may be used to refinance any pre-existing debt of an eligible borrower, including those from the SME Guarantee Scheme.
- Loans can be either unsecured or secured (excluding residential property).
The expanded Scheme will enable lenders to continue supporting Australian small businesses when they need it most.
The SME Recovery Loan Scheme builds on earlier loan schemes introduced during COVID-19, under which around 74,000 loans totalling around $6.2 billion were written.
The loans will be available through participating lenders until 31 December 2021. The expansion complements other financial support the Commonwealth is offering to businesses impacted by the current COVID-19 health restrictions.
The Morrison Government will continue to support small businesses as they seek to rebuild, adapt and create jobs on the other side of this crisis.
Further information can be found on the Treasury website.
Hamilton’s James Street Plaza makeover complete
City of Newcastle’s transformation of James Street Plaza on Hamilton’s Beaumont Street is complete after four months of construction.
During the final stages of the upgrade finishing touches were made to street furniture, artworks installed and landscaping and tree planting finalised.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the changes to the space are impressive following the project which is aimed to attract more visitors, families, and shoppers.
“In response to community feedback we have delivered a safer, more appealing place for people to spend time,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Once COVID-19 restrictions lift, we will welcome the community back to gather and activate the space with music, markets and food.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said that the transformed plaza delivers an attractive meeting place for the Hamilton community.
“You can really see the community’s ideas and feedback brought to life, from the unique historical elements to new furniture and gardens,” Cr Duncan said.
“I love the special details like the built-in drinking bowl for our canine companions in the water fountain and I can’t wait to see the lighting display once it’s launched in the coming months.”
“The Plaza will be a vibrant, safe and inclusive space for our community during the day and at night.”
In June the community was asked to vote on their favourite of three lighting designs put forward by the University of Newcastle’s Future Art Science & Technology Lab (FASTLab), each celebrating a different aspect of Hamilton’s history and character.
The “Microcosmic Mosaic” concept proved to be the favourite and was developed into a full-length animation which will be launched to light up the space at night, after COVID restrictions have eased.
In addition to the lighting display, the rich history of Hamilton is reflected in artworks in the renewed plaza, informed by the research of local historian Ruth Cotton, author of Hidden Hamilton and through collaboration with the Newcastle Museum.
Image caption: L-R Councillor Carol Duncan and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the completed James Street Plaza
During the final stages of the upgrade finishing touches were made to street furniture, artworks installed and landscaping and tree planting finalised.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the changes to the space are impressive following the project which is aimed to attract more visitors, families, and shoppers.
“In response to community feedback we have delivered a safer, more appealing place for people to spend time,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Once COVID-19 restrictions lift, we will welcome the community back to gather and activate the space with music, markets and food.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said that the transformed plaza delivers an attractive meeting place for the Hamilton community.
“You can really see the community’s ideas and feedback brought to life, from the unique historical elements to new furniture and gardens,” Cr Duncan said.
“I love the special details like the built-in drinking bowl for our canine companions in the water fountain and I can’t wait to see the lighting display once it’s launched in the coming months.”
“The Plaza will be a vibrant, safe and inclusive space for our community during the day and at night.”
In June the community was asked to vote on their favourite of three lighting designs put forward by the University of Newcastle’s Future Art Science & Technology Lab (FASTLab), each celebrating a different aspect of Hamilton’s history and character.
The “Microcosmic Mosaic” concept proved to be the favourite and was developed into a full-length animation which will be launched to light up the space at night, after COVID restrictions have eased.
In addition to the lighting display, the rich history of Hamilton is reflected in artworks in the renewed plaza, informed by the research of local historian Ruth Cotton, author of Hidden Hamilton and through collaboration with the Newcastle Museum.
Image caption: L-R Councillor Carol Duncan and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the completed James Street Plaza
Rock bags offer emergency protection but sand remains the focus for Stockton
Work to place a temporary protection structure along Stockton foreshore at Barrie Crescent is now complete while City of Newcastle remains committed to sourcing sand for mass nourishment at Stockton Beach.
The beach in front of Barrie Crescent Reserve at Stockton suffered severe shoreline recession following successive east-coast low storm events in 2020, triggering an emergency response to protect the adjacent road and properties.
The structure replaces previous sandbagging works and comprises around 1260 Kyowa rock bags, weighing more than 5000 tonne and covers a 210-metre section of coastline. At a cost of $3.9 million, on top of the $10 million already invested to manage erosion at Stockton, the rock bags provide temporary protection from further shoreline recession in severe weather events.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the long-term strategy of mass sand nourishment for Stockton Beach, as outlined in the Stockton Coastal Management Program, remains the focus and priority for City of Newcastle.
“The rock bags offer a robust, sustainable and economical temporary management option for coastal erosion however they are not a long-term solution,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our Stockton Coastal Management Program identifies mass sand nourishment as the preferred solution to buffer Stockton from coastal hazards and return amenity and access to the beach and we will continue to work with the Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce to source the sand needed for Stockton Beach.
“We are expecting a report from the NSW Government which will provide further detail about the three potential offshore sand sources announced by the Deputy Premier last month.”
City of Newcastle is investigating the costs, additional studies and approvals involved to secure a mining licence to source offshore sand while also continuing to work with agencies on opportunities to source sand from within the harbour.
“There are several streams of work underway to source sand and we are very firmly focussed on working collaboratively with the NSW Government to investigate planning and approval processes, and funding mechanisms for mass sand nourishment at Stockton Beach,” Cr Nelmes said.
The NSW Government-certified Stockton Coastal Management Program sets the intent to establish a pathway for mass sand nourishment while simultaneously planning and delivering immediate, high-risk site erosion protection measures, which includes the rock bag structure at Barrie Crescent.