The opening of a new state-of-the-art change room and recovery facility has given Australia’s women’s hockey squad, the Hockeyroos, a huge boost ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games.
The “Roos’ Retreat” was officially opened by the Federal Member for Swan the Hon Steve Irons at Perth Hockey Stadium today on behalf of the Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck.
The $600,000 upgrade to the hockey facilities was funded as part of the Morrison Government’s $11.5 million commitment to high performance sport infrastructure.
The upgraded Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University now includes equal change rooms for the Australian men’s and women’s hockey squads as well as recovery areas with an ice-bath and spa area and a gymnasium.
It comes as The Hockeyroos are set to challenge for a podium finish and a fourth Olympic gold medal at next month’s Games.
Minister Colbeck and Mr Irons said the investment was key to support one of Australia’s best-loved and most successful teams.
“The Hockeyroos carry the status as one of Australia’s iconic sporting teams and they deserve world-class facilities, which the Morrison Government is proud to support,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This is more than an investment in bricks and mortar.
“It also signals confidence in the sporting champions who represent and continually inspire our nation.
“Our female athletes and teams are incredibly important role models, inspiring and empowering more young girls to see the benefits of sport participation.
The Australian Government, through the Australian Institute of Sport, has increased funding to the Hockeyroos for their Tokyo Olympic campaign, delivering more than $12 million since 2016 to support the national squad.
Mr Irons said the investment would cement Perth’s status as Australia’s home of high performance hockey.
“Perth has been home to Australia’s national hockey squads since 1984, which has attracted so many athletes to relocate here and become part of the community,” Mr Irons said.
“This stadium is also home to Hockey Western Australia and caters for developing players as well as national team members.
“These facilities will be a beacon for aspiring hockey players across the country who have dreams of representing Australia at the highest level.”
Labor to Improve Transparency in Early Learning Sector
An Albanese Labor Government will improve transparency in the child care sector for Australian families and taxpayers, building on Labor’s Cheaper Child Care for Working Families policy.
The Commonwealth will spend around $9 billion on the Child Care Subsidy this year, yet there is very little oversight or public reporting of how this taxpayer money is spent.
While not-for-profit providers are already required to report to the National Charities Commission, large for-profit providers, particularly those owned by private equity, do not have the same accountability.
Part of the Morrison Government’s failed child care changes in 2018 was the introduction of www.childcarefinder.gov.au. The website does not provide real-time child care fee and quality data and some providers do not display any fee information at all.
Australian families need improved transparency around what is driving their fee increases and the ability to easily and accurately compare providers in order to make an informed decision.
The lack of oversight of the sector has also allowed for the practice of non-educational enrolment inducements, with some for-profit providers offering incentives such as cash or iPads to entice families to enrol at their centres. These marketing gimmicks are being funded by taxpayers and are an inappropriate use of government support.
Child care fees are out of control under the Morrison Government, having soared by 37 per cent since the election of the Coalition. Increased transparency about cost drivers and profits is necessary to stop this trend and put downward pressure on fees.
That is why an Albanese Labor Government will:
- Require large child care providers (more than 25 services as defined by ACECQA) and landlords owning more than 10 child care centres to publicly report their child care revenue and profit results to www.childcarefinder.gov.au;
- Mandate that www.childcarefinder.gov.au includes every Child Care Subsidy approved provider, real-time child care fee data and quality ratings and average year on year fee increases so parents can make an informed choice; and
- Ban providers from offering non-educational enrolment inducements.
This policy builds on Labor’s Cheaper Child Care for Working Families plan, in particular our commitment for the ACCC to investigate price regulation to ensure all benefit goes into the pockets of families.
Labor’s plan for cheaper child care will deliver an additional $6 billion investment in the sector, which will leave 97 per cent of families in the system better off.
We want to ensure this additional support flows through to families, which is why we want a stronger focus on transparency.
Only Labor is committed to genuine, enduring reform of the child care sector that brings costs down for families and keeps them down.
The Morrison Government’s half-hearted child care policy falls lightyears short of what is required to properly reform the system and includes nothing to keep fees down.
This Government’s poor attitude towards child care has been on display this week, with members of the Coalition party room labelling it outsourced parenting.
The difference could not be more stark – Labor is committed to ensuring every Australian child deserves access to affordable and high quality early learning.
Netball NSW decides to postpone Junior State Titles
Netball NSW has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2021 HART Junior State Titles which were due to take place this weekend in Sydney.
The Junior State Titles are a flagship event within the Netball NSW pathway. The three-day tournament, which was due to take place from Saturday to Monday 26-28 June showcases the strength of grassroots netball with young players from all over the state coming together.
Penrith District Netball Association was set to host players in Divisions 1 and 2 in the 14U, 13U and 12U age groups, with Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association due to host Divisions 3 and 4 in the same age brackets.
With the population of Greater Sydney being been advised by the NSW Government not to travel beyond the city limits, Netball NSW decided it could not, in all good conscience, encourage the regional netball community to do the opposite.
Planning is currently underway to work out when the Junior State Titles can be held later in the year.
Netball NSW CEO Tain Drinkwater said she understood the frustration today’s decision would cause, but noted it was made with the community in mind.
“The decision to postpone the HART Junior State Titles was an immensely difficult one to make, however when you see what is happening in Sydney at the moment it is the right call,” she said.
“First and foremost our thoughts are with the game’s youngest participants who have been working so hard in the lead-up to the event, I know this will be difficult news to hear.
“But please remember it is only a postponement at this stage so there is a silver lining. Our competitions team is already working diligently on how we can make an alternative work later in the year.
“We cannot guarantee that the competition will have the exact same format as the one currently planned, or that the new dates will work for every participant, but we are confident the Junior State Titles will take place in the coming months. We hope to have provisional details of the rescheduled event in the coming days.
“Netball NSW works to serve the netball community and the health and wellbeing of every player, coach, official, volunteer, staff member and supporter is our No.1 priority.”
Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan echoed Drinkwater’s sentiments:
“On behalf of the Board of Netball NSW we share the disappointment that many of our game’s community are feeling today but health must always come first,” Sullivan said.
“We have been fortunate to play netball in relative normality so far in 2021 but we always knew the threat of COVID-19 could strike at any time.
“Thankfully our team at Netball NSW is already working on an alternative and we appreciate the patience of our netball family throughout the state as we negotiate the current situation.”
Netball NSW would like to thank HART Sport, naming rights partner of the Junior State Titles, for their support of the event.
Dance teacher in court over alleged sexual abuse of students – Port Stephens area
A dance teacher will appear in court today charged over the alleged sexual abuse of students in the Port Stephens area.
In March this year, detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established Strike Force Wairakei to investigate reports of inappropriate behaviour by the dance teacher towards a number of students.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man at Nelson Bay about 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday 23 June 2021).
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with 12 offences, including three counts of aggravated indecent assault- victim under authority of offender, three counts of indecent assault person under 16 years of age, aggravated sex assault- victim under the age of 16 years, aggravated sex assault- victim under authority of offender, assault with act of indecency, common assault, sexual intercourse reckless as to consent (ACT not NSW) and sexual intercourse with person under care (aged between 17 and 18).
Police will allege in court that the man, who is a dance teacher, sexually abused four students and a girl – aged between 12 and 17 – who were known to him between 2013 and 2019.
The man, from Corlette, was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Thursday 24 June 2021).
PINs issued over non-essential visit to cinema by couple travelling through Western NSW
A Victorian couple has been issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for allegedly breaching a Public Health Order while travelling through the state’s west.
Earlier this month, the NSW Police Force was notified that a man and woman, who had tested positive to COVID-19, had travelled by road from Melbourne, Victoria, to Queensland through NSW.
Investigations revealed the pair had taken a route using the Newell Highway, and visited various businesses deemed ‘essential services’, including retail stores, food outlets, and service stations.
The pair also attended a cinema on Macquarie Street, Dubbo, on Wednesday 2 June 2021, which is deemed non-essential activity under the Public Health Act.
Officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District have since advised the 48-year-old man and 44-year-old woman they will each be issued a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The Queensland Police Service are expected to serve the PINs on behalf of the NSW Police Force today (Friday 25 June 2021).
Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Greens force release of draft standards phasing out battery cages
Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has forced the release of draft animal welfare standards for poultry through a Senate order for documents. The standards and guidelines include a phase out of battery cages for hens by 2036.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This is good news and a welcome step in the right direction but the transition should certainly happen faster.
“This process has been going on in some form or another since 2013 so there has been plenty of time for the industry to change their practices. It’s really time for some action.
“We know the vast majority of people have been really concerned about hens being kept in battery cages under such cruel and inhumane conditions.They don’t want hens trapped in A4 size spaces.
“Countries around the world have already phased out cages or have a plan to do so, including most OECD countries.
“Industry does not need up to 15 years to transition away from battery cages. It can and it should happen faster.”
Morrison must strip Nationals of water portfolio
Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has today called for the Nationals to be stripped of the water portfolio following the return of Barnaby Joyce to the leadership.
“After just two days with Barnaby Joyce back in the leadership, the Nationals have launched an extraordinary attack on the River Murray and the people and environment of South Australia.
“This is a direct challenge to Scott Morrison today, stand up to the water terrorists and make sure that Barnaby Joyce never gets his hands on Australia’s water policy ever again.
“South Australians remember that last time Barnaby Joyce was in charge of the water portfolio that he oversaw rorting, water theft and the use of public money as a slush fund.
“The Nationals have always been more interested in looking after their corporate irrigator mates than the people or environment. They deny climate change, deny science and they cannot be trusted to manage the Murray Darling Basin.
“Scott Morrison must be a national leader and strip the Nationals of the water portfolio. When it comes to water he has one job, tell the National party to back off and take their hand off our water.
“As we head to an election, the people of South Australia should think carefully about who they want in control of our precious Murray. South Australians should not support the Liberal Party if they are unable to stand up to the bullies of the National Party. South Australians need representatives who will put the people and environment of South Australia above petty leadership squabbles in Canberra.
“The Murray Darling Basin Plan, including the 450GL promised to South Australia must be delivered on time and in full.”
Labor cuts $192.5 million from ARENA, abandons new clean jobs
The Labor Party last night lined up with the Greens to gut new funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Labor Senators teamed up with the Australian Greens to cut $192.5 million of new funding for ARENA and disallow a regulation that expands the clean technology agency’s mandate to play a major role in driving the next generation of low-emissions technologies.
The funding included support for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and microgrid infrastructure to make energy affordable and reliable in regional and remote Australia.
ARENA welcomed the changes and calling it a “new era for ARENA” to be able to work with the next generation of energy technologies.
The Government’s approach has received wide industry support from over 28 businesses, peak bodies, and climate change groups including the Business Council of Australia, the AiGroup, the National Farmers Federation, ClimateWorks Australia and the Investor Group for Climate Change.
The loss of this funding will cost up to 1,400 new jobs in emerging industries and would have supported industries like mining, agriculture, transport, manufacturing and electricity, which employ over 2.2 million Australians.
Labor has walked away from clean tech jobs, and blue-collar jobs.
Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon – slammed the move as “nothing short of genius” for Chris Bowen to force Labor MPs to “heroically vote against carbon reduction initiatives that Labor actually supports.”
The decision showed that Anthony Albanese cannot be trusted to support the long-term future of Australia’s resources and agriculture industries.
Despite the Australian Labor Party platform explicitly supporting these technologies, every Senator in the Australian Labor Party room has now voted against them.
It has not only shown that Labor is economically reckless, but that their promises cannot be trusted.
There are only two ways to reduce emissions: through technology, or taxes. By abandoning investing in technology today, the Labor Party has shown the 2.2. million Australians working in energy intensive industries that their solution to climate change is more taxes.
Labor has shown they will always choose taxes, which means Australian families, farmers, workers and our regions will pay more.
They have sent a clear message to Australian voters that the Labor Party would prefer to play politics than support Australian jobs.
Keeping Australians Safe Online
The Morrison Government has welcomed the passage through the Senate last night of the new Online Safety Act.
The Act provides stronger powers for the eSafety Commissioner to crack down on cyberbullying of children, toxic online abuse, harmful content and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It bolsters Australia’s world-leading online safety framework by introducing new and strengthened schemes to assist Australians when things go wrong online.
The Act also provides the eSafety Commissioner with stronger information gathering and investigative powers to unmask anonymous accounts.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said online safety was a priority for the Morrison Government and passing this new Act was a key commitment at the 2019 election..
“When we established the office of the eSafety Commissioner in 2015, it was the first agency in the world dedicated to protecting citizens from online dangers such as image-based abuse and cyberbullying,” Minister Fletcher said.
“In addition to managing those threats, eSafety has played a key role, along with its international partners, in fighting the scourge of online child sexual abuse material.
“The new Act represents a step-change for eSafety, tightening its powers in existing areas, and creating a new reporting scheme that will allow our eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, to take action to remove toxic cyber-abuse, when online platforms fail to do so.”
In concert with this Act, the Government has delivered its election commitment to strengthen penalties for online abuse and harassment by increasing the maximum penalties in the Criminal Code, including from 3 to 5 years imprisonment for those using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
The Government provided an additional $24.7 million to the eSafety Commissioner over four years in the May 2021 Budget. This brings the Government’s total commitment to keeping Australians safe online over the next four years to more than $125 million.
The Act is expected to pass through the House shortly and will commence six months after receiving Royal Assent.
PBS listings to support patients with mesothelioma
From July 1, thousands of Australians and their families suffering from rare cancers and genetic disorders are set to benefit from expanded listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
We are expanding the listing for Opdivo® and Yervoy® (nivolumab and ipilimumab), for the treatment of patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma.
Unresectable malignant mesothelioma is an insidious cancer that cannot be treated surgically and can take decades to emerge after initial exposure to asbestos. Symptoms are often mistaken for less serious illnesses, which can complicate early diagnosis.
When used in combination, Opdivo® and Yervoy® helps the immune system to attack and destroy the cancer cells.
More than 700 patients a year will benefit from this listing. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $130,000 per course of treatment for this medicine.
Our Government is also expanding the listing of Kuvan® (sapropterin) on the PBS to include treatment of maternal phenylketonuria (MPKU).
MPKU is a condition when a woman who has phenylketonuria is pregnant. During pregnancy, the levels of phenylalanine affect both the mother and the developing foetus.
MPKU is a genetic disorder requiring lifelong management that prevents the normal breakdown of a protein found in some foods.
This medicine works in combination with dietary restrictions, to help lower the amount of amino acid phenylalanine in the blood.
Kuvan® reduces phenylalanine in the blood of people with phenylketonuria. Elevated levels can cause abnormal mental and physical development.
Around 30 patients each year will benefit from access to this treatment option. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay over $215,000 per course of treatment.
Without proper treatment this condition can lead to problems with brain development and cause intellectual disability, difficulties with attention, and psychiatric disorders like anxiety or depression.
These treatments will now be available for as little as $41.30 per script, or just $6.60 for patients with a concession card.
Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, our Government has approved more than 2,600 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 $13.2 billion.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.’