Australian Greens Peace and Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has called on the Morrison Government to commit to reverse the decision to close its embassy in Kabul after horrific new information was reported today about the nature of Australia’s worst alleged war crime, known as the ‘tractor job’.
“Now is not the time for Australia to lose a vital piece of on-the-ground infrastructure that would be critical in supporting the Office of the Special Investigator to better access evidence and witnesses in Afghanistan,” Steele-John said.
“To close the Australian Embassy in Kabul now, when so much new and truly shameful information about the conduct of Australian SAS soldiers in Afghanistan has come to light, borders on governmental obstruction of justice!
“The closure of the Austrlaian Embassy in Kabul will unjustifiably disadvantage the victims, and their families, when engaging with the investigation.
“What has been reported today by the ABC about the incident known as the ‘tractor job’ is horrific and truly shameful.
“The war has had a terrible and lasting impact on the Afghani people, whose country we occupied for two decades. Innocent people, including children like 14 year old Abdul Salim who is alleged to have been killed at Sara Aw, are dead, families have been torn apart and villages have been left in ruin.
“It is imperative now that we do everything in our power as a nation to ensure that no stone is left unturned, perpetrators are brought to jsutice and the families, and the communities, affected by our occupation are appropriately compensated.
“Abdul Salim, Fiz Mohammad, Omar Jan, Mohammad Azim, Sakhi Jan, Wali Jan, Gulab Khan, Gran, Abdullah, Toor Jan and Nazar Mohammad. These are the names of the 11 civilians alleged to have been murdered; lest we forget.”
COVID-19 emergency measures extended for a further three months
The human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will be extended for a further three months.
The emergency period, which has been in place since 18 March 2020 to protect Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue until 17 September 2021.
The extension, declared by the Governor General today, was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.
The AHPPC has advised that the international COVID-19 situation continues to pose an unacceptable risk to public health.
The extension of the emergency period is an appropriate response to that risk.
The human biosecurity emergency declaration ensures the Government has the powers to take any necessary measures to prevent and control COVID-19.
This extends the four existing emergency determinations including:
- mandatory pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights
- restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory
- restrictions on outbound international travel for Australians
- restrictions on trade of retail outlets at international airports.
To date, these and other measures have greatly assisted in protecting Australia by preventing and controlling the entry, emergence, establishment and spread of COVID-19.
We will continue to review these determinations regularly to take into account the latest medical advice
The Government also continues to consult with the States and Territories and the maritime industry on options for the staged resumption of cruising when the medical advice is that it is safe to do so.
These measures in place under the Biosecurity Act 2015 the can be amended or repealed at any time.
New COVID-19 disaster payment available today
Eligible Victorians whose hours of work and income are significantly affected due to the state lockdown can now claim the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
Since claiming opened at 8am today, thousands of claims have been successfully lodged and Services Australia has already started granting claims.
This payment is for people who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot and can’t attend work as a result of state imposed health restrictions lasting greater than a week.
Eligible people, for the period 4 to 10 June, will receive $500 if they’ve lost 20 hours or more of work, and $325 if they’ve lost less than 20 hours of work. They must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000 or be in receipt of other payments.
Minister for Government Services, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said Services Australia staff are urgently progressing claims from Victorians affected by the current lockdown restrictions in Greater Melbourne.
“Services Australia staff are now processing COVID-19 Disaster Payment claims and prioritising payments and services to support Victorians through this current lockdown period,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Once a claim has been lodged, using a Centrelink online account through myGov, customers do not need to do anything else.
“When their claim is approved, customers should get their payment the next business day.
“Customers will receive an SMS when their claim is submitted. People don’t need to call to check on their claim.
“We expect significant interest in this payment and ask that people be patient, especially during the first few days as Services Australia processes these claims for support.
“Payments will also be backdated to the date someone first became eligible, rather than the date the claim was lodged.”
People who can’t make a claim online can call 180 22 66 for support. Phone lines are open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Eligible visa holders will need to call Services Australia on 180 22 66 to claim.
For more information on the COVID-19 Disaster Payment go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19
Additional information
Services Australia will pay the COVID-19 Disaster Payment from the date of activation for an area where both of the following apply:
- the area has a public health lockdown for more than 7 days (Note: Victorians cannot receive this payment for the first 7 days of lockdown)
- the area is a declared COVID-19 hotspot.
To be eligible for the payment, Victorians must meet all the following criteria:
- be an Australian resident or hold an eligible working visa
- be 17 years or older
- not be in receipt of an income support payment, the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment
- live or work in a COVID-19 declared hotspot
- had paid employment and because of the lockdown are unable to attend work on or after day 8 of lockdown
- lost income on or after day 8 of lockdown and don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements
- have liquid assets of less than $10,000. Note: Liquid assets are any funds readily available in cash or savings, or assets that can easily be converted into cash in a short amount of time.
City invites community input to imagine ‘a place for everyone’
City of Newcastle is inviting the community to identify the barriers to social inclusion as it develops a new Social Strategy that will provide the foundations for a range of planning decisions to make Newcastle a more liveable and inclusive community.
Over the next three-months, the City will host community engagement activities such as workshops, community events, festivals and forums to ensure Novocastrians have multiple opportunities to share their voices and help shape the new Strategy.
The new Strategy will outline a vision and guiding principles for an inclusive Newcastle along with the role that City of Newcastle and its partners can take to lead and empower connected and liveable communities, with emphasis on vulnerable community members.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is committed to making the city a more liveable and inclusive community for all Novocastrians to thrive in, by increasing social inclusion and creating more opportunities for community connection.
“As the region grows, challenges such as affordable housing, youth unemployment, and an ageing population emerging, we want to make sure that everyone feels able to grow with it and are acknowledged as integral members of our vibrant community. An inclusive community reduces the social and economic cost of mental health and wellbeing as well as being an important determinant of better educational outcomes for our children,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle values the contributions made by all people and believes that diversity strengthens the city. Through targeted services, programs and facilities we can provide all Novocastrians with equal opportunities to reach their full potential and take an active part in our community to the betterment of the city.”
Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said the new Social Strategy is about treating all people with respect.
“Newcastle has changed a lot over the years and continues to undergo significant change and growth. Today, our city is more diverse than ever, with people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, beliefs, socio-economic status, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities,” Cr Duncan said.
“The City recognises the dignity and worth of all people by treating communities fairly and equitably. The new Social Strategy will outline a framework for treating all Novocastrians with respect, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage amongst our community.
“Hearing from a diverse cross-section of our community is critical to ensuring the Social Strategy reflects everyone, so the planning decisions we make support all Novocastrians. “Individually, we may be very different but, together, we can all call Newcastle home.”
Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay until August 2021.
Newcastle Museum exhibit earns industry’s highest honour at national awards
Newcastle Museum has beaten some of the most prestigious cultural institutions across the country to earn the industry’s highest national accolade, the National MAGNA.
The innovative social history exhibition, 1X4, which was curated from Newcastle Museum’s own extensive collection, was named the overall winner at the 2021 Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNA) held in Canberra last night.
The City of Newcastle facility initially took out the Temporary or Travelling Exhibition Level 1 (for project budgets under $20,000) before being selected as the most impressive entry overall from 42 finalists shortlisted across the 16 categories. Newcastle Art Gallery’s On Stillness exhibition was also highly commended by judges in the Temporary or Travelling Exhibition Level 1.
The Museum’s award followed an announcement earlier in the day that its Director, Julie Baird, had been selected as the Vice President of the National Council for the Australian Museums and Galleries Association Incorporated (AMaGA).
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was a great honour for Newcastle Museum to become the first regional, Local Government-run museum to win the national award in its own right.
“Newcastle Museum is on the cutting edge of contemporary museum practice, creating insightful and immersive ways to interpret and preserve our city’s fascinating history,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Museum Director Julie Baird and the City of Newcastle staff involved in this exhibition should feel proud of their achievements, which saw them beat renowned institutions including the National Museum of Australia, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Australian National Maritime Museum, whose exhibitions had budgets in excess of half a million dollars each.
“This is one of the most significant cultural awards Newcastle has ever won and is testimony to the skill and creativity of Julie and her City of Newcastle colleagues.
“Julie’s appointment as Vice President of the national council also reflects her expertise, innovative leadership and years of dedication to the Australian galleries, libraries, archives, and museums sector. It acknowledges the importance of Local Government funded museums in the cultural landscape.”
Ms Baird said Newcastle Museum’s exhibition was a massive team effort, conceived and created locally in less than a year amongst the uncertainty of COVID-19. Designed as a travelling exhibition, it is now going on tour, with Randwick City Council’s La Perouse Museum as its first stop in September.
“1X4 is an innovative, collection-rich, social history exhibition and website exploring the multiplicity of narratives each object can tell,” Ms Baird said.
“It has attracted widespread interest, with three museums already adding it to their touring exhibition program and requests for it through until 2023, while major UK institution The Victoria & Albert Museum tweeted about the innovation of the exhibition and local government-funded museums in Canada have been in contact and are interested in creating their own version of the 1X4 concept.
“It was a fantastic effort by all those involved in its creation, and we are so proud and shocked to have been acknowledged with the National MAGNA award.”
Newcastle Museum completed a clean sweep in Canberra last night after the 1X4 website also won the Program Website – Level A award at the Museums Australasia Multimedia and Publication Design Awards 2021, which celebrate excellence and quality in design of publications and multimedia produced for the museums sector.
NSW Budget: $82.8 million budget boost for palliative care
Palliative care services across the state will receive a further $82.8 million over the next four years, to improve support for people with a life-limiting or terminal illness.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the 2021-22 Budget funding boost is on top of more than $220 million that the NSW Government invests each year in palliative care services and support.
“We know in Australia only a small proportion of people die suddenly. Most people experience a prolonged period of disability, frailty and illness,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding will help thousands of families across the state, particularly in regional NSW and Western Sydney, to provide dignity to people at the end of life’s journey.”
As part of this investment, Western Sydney Local Health District will receive funding to enhance its hospital-based palliative care services with additional inpatient beds.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the $82.8 million funding would provide:
- a workforce boost of up to 120 full time equivalent staff including additional nurses, allied health and medical staff;
- multidisciplinary care to maintain patient wellbeing and independence at home;
- additional consumer information and support for patients, families and carers
“On top of workforce boosts, increased end-of-life support packages and enhanced bereavement services, additional virtual care services will ensure regional patients get the support they need from the comfort of their home,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The additional funding will also support dedicated inpatient beds at cancer hospital and cancer treatment centre Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.”
The funding includes $2 million (recurrent) for Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice, Australia’s first dedicated hospice for young people due to open in July 2022.
The funding boost comes in addition to the NSW Government’s recent palliative care commitments including $100 million in 2017, $45 million in 2019 and $56 million in 2020, and is a clear statement of the commitment the Government has to supporting patients at the end of life.
NSW bouncing back with RD commercialisation
Innovative ideas have been brought to life following the second R&D Innovation Districts Challenge. Some of projects include optimising logistics for rapid vaccine distribution, mobile apps and games to teach STEM to students, and a business tool to support the wellbeing of customer service workforces.
Economic resilience was the focus of the second R&D Innovation Districts Challenge, which brings together universities, local businesses and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO to accelerate new products and services to market, and equip the NSW economy to bounce back from COVID-19.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the second Challenge was designed to find R&D solutions that fostered economic resilience, which is vital following the economic and business disruption caused by the pandemic.
“By backing businesses and driving innovation all across NSW, we’re helping to stimulate the economy, grow industries and create jobs,” Mr Ayres said.
“It’s exciting that in addition to many female-run businesses, there are initiatives to address the needs of the most economically vulnerable in our communities, including people with a disability and those experiencing financial distress.”
“Some very interesting ideas came out of rural and regional areas, including a world-first approach to heat-free milk pasteurisation, and a data aggregation platform for farmers.”
The challenge winners sharing $500,000 in seed funding are:
- $250,000 – Adiona, nominated by CSIRO develop a fast, powerful domestic logistics optimisation and simulation engine that can also be applied to rapid vaccine distribution
- $100,000 – Arludo, collaborating with the University of NSW on a suite of mobile apps and games to teach STEM and allow students to collate science data and collaborate in real time
- $30,000 – Kleu Australia, teaming up with the University of Wollongong on a business tool to support the wellbeing and performance of large-scale customer service workforces
- $10,000 to local winners of each Innovation District: Bundlfresh, Good360 Australia, Medulla, PeepsRide, Pairtree Intelligence, Young Henrys Brewing Company, Steber International, Maxiem, New England Cheese, Studymove, HRDS Technologies, and Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall congratulated Adiona, a former resident of CSIRO’s Lindfield Collaboration Hub, where small businesses can work alongside the national science agency to accelerate their growth with tailored commercialisation and engineering support.
“CSIRO’s commitment to NSW includes working with government, research and business partners across the state to turn more world-class science into real-world solutions that create jobs and benefit for all of NSW, driving our recovery from COVID-19 and building back better for the future,” Dr Marshall said.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Gabrielle Upton said, “Commercialising more R&D is the central priority of the NSW R&D Action Plan. The Challenge strongly supports that outcome, solving problems while helping to grow jobs and new industries.”
The NSW Government Innovation Districts Challenges program is part of a $11 million innovation scaleup commitment, designed to support business communities across NSW to develop innovations to tackle the many challenges of COVID-19.
NSW to welcome back international students under pilot plan
International students are expected to be welcomed back under a NSW Government pilot plan for their safe return over the second half of the year, to help kick-start the billion-dollar industry.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said international students are a vital missing piece in the State’s economic recovery, with the sector worth $14.6 billion in 2019.
This will benefit tens of thousands of NSW residents whose jobs rely on this industry across retail, hospitality and many other fields.
The pilot plan will initially see a limited number of students from a range of countries in purpose-built student accommodation adhering to the same quarantine requirements as all incoming travellers.
“International education is our second most valuable export and we need to do what we can to help students return and revive this sector as quickly as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Typically, we have more than 250,000 international students studying in NSW each year and they directly supported over 95,000 local jobs prior to the pandemic. If we don’t act fast, students will turn to other overseas destinations and it could take the sector decades to recover.
“That’s why we’ve developed a pilot plan supported by NSW Health and NSW Police that enables 250 international students to come to Sydney per fortnight from mid-year, in a gradual approach that will enable us to closely manage the process and ensure community health is not compromised.”
The international student allocation will be in addition to the current number of returning Australians allowed into NSW each week.
“This won’t come at the expense of returning Aussies. We will continue to bring back 3,000 people per week – well more than any other state,” Mr. Perrottet said.
NSW Health would triage arriving students and direct them to quarantine at specially approved student accommodation at no cost to taxpayers. The first of these sites has been chosen, with contract negotiations well advanced.
It is estimated that the combined impact of closed international borders, including on students and tourism, could be as high as $1.5 billion per month for NSW. This is a major contributing factor to the CBD’s slower economic recovery rate.
“This is a crucial sector for NSW and Australia, and we will work with the Commonwealth and education sector to achieve the best outcome,” Mr Perrottet said.
Professor Barney Glover AO, on behalf of the NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, welcomed the State’s approval of the Program after working collaboratively for several months to commence the safe return of international students to NSW.
“As at May this year, there were many higher education students diligently studying offshore – many of whom expect to return to our campuses to finish their studies. This Program has carefully considered the personal, social and academic aspects of our students, to ensure they successfully resume their studies and re-join NSW’s vibrant, multicultural community as soon as possible,” Professor Glover said.
“We are excited to finally welcome back international students to experience the world-class education, training and research that makes NSW such an attractive destination for education.”
Council of International Students President, Belle Lim was extremely encouraged to learn that the NSW Plan had been submitted for review.
“We are so happy to see that international students will be welcomed back to NSW. This sends a great message to international students studying online offshore that there is hope that things will return to normal again,” Ms Lim said.
“We are pleased to see the cautious approach but are hopeful the numbers of students arriving will scale over time. CISA strongly supports the detailed planning that has been done by NSW.”
The NSW plan has been submitted to the Federal Government for final review.
Charging ahead with local manufacturing
The first locally manufactured electric buses will roll out in Sydney later this year, as the NSW Government charges ahead with its plan to electrify the bus fleet by 2030.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the Element electric bus, built by Custom Denning, will be the first electric bus entirely manufactured in NSW.
“We are another step closer to creating a greener, cleaner and healthier future for the people of NSW, thanks to Custom Denning manufacturing electric buses at its factory in St Marys,” Mr Constance said.
“Custom’s Element electric bus has undergone a thorough assessment and I am excited to see it now included on a list of electric buses available to Transport for NSW’s bus operators.”
“Busways has already placed an order for six new electric buses from Custom, and I look forward to many more local bus companies taking up the opportunity to support local manufacturing and local jobs.”
Custom Bus Group Managing Director Scott Dunn said Custom has been building buses in Sydney for more than 65 years, and has built more than 700 diesel buses for the NSW Government over the past 10 years.
There are currently 12 people working on the electric bus project. However, we have the capacity to build around 400 buses each year in our current factory and this could create more than 300 jobs,” said Mr Dunn.
“The Element electric bus will be able to operate for around 22 hours on a single four-hour charge, and are cheaper to maintain and operate than their diesel counterparts.”
“Busways was Custom Denning’s first non-government customer and we have been buying high quality, reliable buses from them since 1958. We’ve been trialling the Element bus in the Penrith area for the last month and we are excited to be receiving our first order in the coming months,” said Busways Managing Director, Byron Rowe.
More than 60 new electric buses will be introduced on bus routes operated on behalf of the NSW Government this year. Electric buses are already operating in Sydney’s inner west and south west, as well as in the Hornsby and Sutherland regions.
Dine and Discover Extended to July 31
The Berejiklian Government’s Dine & Discover initiative will be extended by a month to give people more time to use all of their vouchers eating out or trying a new activity this winter, including in the upcoming school holidays.
The latest data shows more than 4.23 million people have downloaded the vouchers since they were launched in March spending a combined total of more than $357 million with registered businesses when adding in the additional spend on top of the voucher amount.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the stimulus had proved popular and played a valuable role supporting businesses as well as reviving consumer confidence.
“This is helping to fire-up our economy. It’s not just boosting revenue for businesses, it’s bringing a fresh clientele through their doors eager to try a new eatery or exciting activity,” Mr Perrottet said.
“People of all ages and walks of life are giving them a go and we don’t want anyone to miss out. This extension will ensure everyone has a chance to use all four of their vouchers, which I’m sure will be particularly handy in the school holidays.”
Every adult in NSW is eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend across the 14,000 participating businesses.
Dining out has been particularly popular, with patrons spending on average $41 for every $25 voucher used.
This increased spending at hospitality venues will have broader positive flow-on effects to the economy, through employment and purchases from upstream suppliers.
Adventure businesses have also benefited, along with cultural institutions such as galleries and museums.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the enthusiastic take up of the vouchers showed digital initiatives were the way of the future.
“Targeted stimulus, is smart stimulus when helping communities and citizens battle back from a pandemic and Dine & Discover has been able to support a wide range of businesses and industries,” Mr Dominello said.
“With about two in every three adults across NSW having now registered for the vouchers, having such a large portion of the NSW population on board means we can get money back into the community quickly.
“More than $105 million has been spent directly in registered business regionally compared to almost $200 million in establishments in Sydney.”
It’s not too late for businesses to register and customers are encouraged to sign up and spend their vouchers before they expire on July 31, 2021.
“We’re giving people more time to take full advantage of these vouchers, so make sure you sign up and use them before you lose them,” Mr Perrottet said.
The vouchers had been due to expire on June 30.
The vouchers can only be used at eligible businesses that have implemented a COVID Safety Plan and are registered as COVID Safe.