Greens Leader Adam Bandt says the Prime Minister must instruct his Health Minister to stop giving mixed messages on vaccines that could delay the national rollout.
“Comments today by Greg Hunt could lead people to think they should wait a few months to pick another option, undermining the central message of the vaccine rollout,” said Mr Bandt.
“Winter is coming, the spectre of further COVID outbreaks is real and the Morrison government hasn’t built large-scale remote quarantine facilities, so the message must be to get vaccinated now, not to think about waiting a few months.”
“The Minister is giving mixed messages. Saying ‘why not wait a bit’ encourages vaccine hesitancy.”
“The Prime Minister and Minister Hunt must immediately show support for all of the vaccines approved by independent health authorities and cease up-selling brands that are yet to arrive in sufficient quantities.
“The PM should also pick up the phone to the TV networks and ask them to constantly run the vaccine numbers on their screens, like in the UK. Australia needs a big advertising campaign encouraging people to get vaccinated.”
“The UK has a high vaccination rate and a big advertising campaign, but Australia has a Health Minister telling people to wait a few months.
“Scott Morrison’s political decision to avoid responsibility for the vaccine rollout is undermining its success. He should be fronting the cameras every day urging people to get the jab as part of a high volume, high visibility information campaign.”
Greens spokesperson on Health Senator Rachel Siewert said:
Morrison is failing Australian in his laissez-faire approach to addressing vaccine hesitancy
The Government is treading water, hoping on a wing and a prayer that people in the community will just come out and get vaccinated.
There is clearly a lack of confidence in how the Government is managing the vaccine rollout and we urgently need a national strategy to boost vaccine uptake that includes reminders, and targeted messaging to specific cohorts addressing their concerns. Doing nothing is not an option.
A public health campaign that reaches people who are vaccine hesitant is absolutely urgent.
We have run very successful public health campaigns here in Australia like encouraging seatbelts, anti-smoking and anti HIV/Aids stigma.
The polio vaccine changed the lives of a generation of Australians because of strong public health campaigns and messaging.
The Morrison Government doesn’t have a timeline for fully vaccinating a certain percentage of the adult population. Without a target, we don’t have a plan to re-open borders and bring stranded Australians back home.
Gas and coal are dead says IEA, Long live coal says the Morrison government
The Greens have rebuked the Morrison government’s plan to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on a gas plant announced the very same day that the International Energy Agency made it clear that a safe climate means no new fossil fuel projects, starting now.
In a separate attack on Australia’s economy and climate, the government has quietly amended the ARENA rules to allow the renewables agency to invest in fossil fuels coal and gas.
Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said:
“On the same day the world’s energy chiefs say Australia must immediately stop new coal and gas projects or risk climate catastrophe, Scott Morrison gives them the finger and announces a publicly-funded gas power station,” Bandt said.
“This is a climate crime. Scott Morrison is spending public money on a junk investment that will make the climate crisis worse and push up power bills.
“The IEA is a conservative body, traditionally very pro-coal and gas, but they’re recommending Australia gets out of coal-fired power by 2030. The Greens agree, and in the balance of power after the next election, we’ll kick the Liberals out and use this report to push Labor to phase out coal and gas.
“The IEA are calling fossil fuel projects “junk investments”. The experts have said that the Kurri Kurri gas-fired power station is unnecessary, more expensive than renewables and batteries, and that it will become a stranded asset, all while cooking the planet and killing investment and jobs in renewable energy. The only winners are Morrison’s billionaire fossil fuel buddies.
“The Liberals are spending your money on a loser project because they take donations from coal and gas corporations and they’re mates with the owner of the site.”
“This new gas power station won’t go ahead because people will stop it. The Greens will fight this tooth and nail.”
Santos has donated more than half a million dollars to the Coalition and now its former executive David Knox is in charge of using Snowy to build a gas plant reliant on a nearby Santos gas mine. A Liberal donor, self described as “a walking ATM” for the Liberal party, owns the land of the proposed Kurri Kurri site.
ARENA
“Coal & gas are not renewable, but the Liberals are now trying to use Australia’s Renewable Energy Agency to funnel public funds allocated for renewable technologies into coal and gas corporations.
“The Greens will move to block this latest rort when Parliament resumes. We will move to disallow the regulations. We hope Labor and others will back us.”
Increasing transparency of home care prices for senior Australians
The Morrison Government is responding to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety by increasing transparency and information on home care prices.
For the first time information has been published relating to the median prices charged for common home care services to help people to make more informed decisions.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the information is a vital part of empowering senior Australians and their families to take greater control of their care.
“This new data will help to show senior Australians, their carers and family the median prices of common services across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas and by state and territory” Minister Hunt said.
“It gives those looking to access care a very important insight into what common available prices and where providers may be charging premium prices.
“We want senior Australians to be able to shop around for their care providers, knowing this will keep downward pressure on prices.”
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the information is compiled from aged care provider information as they are required to report their prices to the Government.
“As part of the early announcement in response to the Royal Commission’s report on 1 March, the Government included significant steps to improve transparency and comparability of pricing, and empower senior Australians with greater choice when it comes to their care,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Since 1 July 2019, all home care providers are required to publish their pricing information in a standardised schedule published on the My Aged Care website. This new data table gives greater visibility of median prices.
“Our Government has invested $200.1 million to deliver a star rating system, and as we progress to it we will see increasing levels of information becoming available to help guide choice, empowering senior Australians to vote with their feet in the hunt for affordable, high quality and appropriate care.
“We expect this information in the hands of senior Australians will encourage providers to enhance their service offerings, while also helping to put downward pressure on unjustified charges, in particular administration charges.”
The publication of the data table shows median prices for services including nursing, in-home respite, personal care, and cleaning and household tasks. It also includes pricing data for care management and package management.
The My Aged Care website already allows users to compare reported pricing at up to 3 providers, however this newly released data will provide additional scope for their decision-making.
The data is updated quarterly and can be found here.
First phase of City’s East End upgrade underway
City of Newcastle’s revitalisation of the Hunter Street Mall as a traditional high street complete with wider footpaths, cycleways and street trees is underway, with the first phase targeting the block bound by Wolfe and Perkins Streets.
The $5 million project is part of the wider East End Public Domain Plan Stage 1, which will see new paving, landscaping and public amenity improvements throughout the Hunter Street Mall.
The public domain plan was endorsed by the elected Council in 2018 and finalising detailed design involved various community engagement activities including a range of placemaking workshops throughout 2019. This helped us customise the landscape to better fit the wants and needs of businesses, residents and visitors to what will be known as the new “East End Village”.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Phase 1 is the first step in positioning the precinct as a traditional high street and attractive destination for locals and visitors.
“Newcastle’s city centre is in the midst of an amazing transformation, with new developments, retail, public space and links to the harbour,” the Lord Mayor said.
“City of Newcastle’s East End Public Domain Plan will ensure that our urban amenity in and around East End Village complements the positive changes underway in the CBD.
“Phase 1 includes upgrades which will reinstate Hunter Street as a traditional main street, improve accessibility, give cyclists dedicated space, and significantly improve lighting and smart city infrastructure.
“Public amenity will also be improved, and street trees and landscaping upgrades will create a greener city centre.”
Construction will be staged to minimise the impact on the community and local businesses.
Works will take place on Wolfe Street between May and August, Hunter Street between August and October, and finally along Perkins Street between October and December.
Phase 1 works will include a complete road renewal, provision of wider footpaths, upgrade of stormwater infrastructure, new street trees, landscaping and street furniture, and the provision of dedicated cycleways.
Effort will be made to reduce the impact on residents, businesses and visitors to East End Village with construction expected to finish next year.
This project is being delivered under the City Centre Revitalisation Program, one of Newcastle’s four Priority Projects. Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/eastend for more information.
Community backs City’s $330 million budget
Improved footpaths, new cycleways and stormwater upgrades to reduce flooding are among the projects proposed under City of Newcastle’s 2021/22 Budget, which has received strong endorsement from the community ahead of Tuesday’s Council vote.
The City will invest $330 million into Newcastle during the next financial year, delivering more than 300 projects and $90.4 million for upgrades or new community infrastructure.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the community had endorsed the draft Budget during its recent public exhibition, with overwhelming support for what the City had proposed for the next 12 months.
“This Budget is focussed on providing real benefits for our community in their everyday lives, whether it’s more shade on our streets and parks with $1 million to maintain and plant new trees, or making it easier for people to get around Newcastle with $2.8 million for new cycleways,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We’re investing $13.7 million to improve and maintain our roads, bridges and pathways we manage on behalf of the community, while $7.7 million will be invested into projects to address localised flooding and improve stormwater systems.
“COVID-19 has reinforced just how important it is to provide recreational opportunities close to home, so we’re continuing our investment to maintain, revitalise or construct new spaces and facilities with $9.1 million for parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities including $4 million towards the Newcastle Ocean Baths Stage 1 upgrade.
“City of Newcastle’s 2020/21 Budget is a commitment to providing the services that make our city an attractive and inclusive place to live and work, now and into the future.”
Other highlights of the 2021/22 Budget include:
- $11 million for waste management, including $8 million for an organics facility to compost food and green waste to reduce the city’s environmental footprint
- $10.5 million for environmental and sustainability projects
- $8.1 million for urban centre renewals including East End public domain and Wallsend and Orchardtown Road (New Lambton) local centre upgrades
- $5 million on transport including $3.1 million on local traffic management and pedestrian access and mobility
- $2 million towards preliminary works associated with the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said prudent financial management had allowed this Budget to forecast a $1.2 million surplus despite COVID-19 wiping out half of the City’s annual $4 million dividend from its shared ownership of Newcastle Airport.
“A key focus of the 2021/22 Budget is to continue on the path of financial sustainability, deliver the many essential services expected of local government and invest more than $90 million in projects to improve the livelihood and wellbeing of our city,” Mr Bath said.
“We’re building on six years of stable and consistent Budgets that have protected services and local jobs and we will continue to carefully balance the needs of our community with the demands of good financial governance so we can continue to support Newcastle as it prepares for its population to hit 200,000 over the next 20 years.”
162 MUSIC VENUES TO RECEIVE BOOST THROUGH $24 MILLION LIVE MUSIC SUPPORT PACKAGE
New South Wales remains the home of live music with 162 live music venues in Sydney and NSW receiving an injection of funds through the NSW Government’s $24 million Live Music Support Package.
The program will help assist 85 Sydney venues and 77 regional NSW venues that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions over the past year to survive through the pandemic.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the benefits of this initiative would be far-reaching.
“Live music is the beating heart of our state and this is the largest investment into grassroots live music in the history of NSW with 162 venues to receive crucial funds that will allow them to keep the doors open and get back to work putting on gigs.
“The NSW Government has been listening to the industry and our community, and the incredible support for and interest in this program proves that it has hit the mark for these venues.
“We know that there is a whole network of businesses and professionals that are involved in staging live music shows, and many of these venues are pillars of the 24-hour economy and critical infrastructure that allows a whole range of events and activities to take place.
“By keeping the lights on and the amps tuned, we’re creating social and economic benefit for the whole of NSW, and it’s amazing to see venues from Bega to Ballina receiving funding,” Mr Ayres said.
Applications were assessed by an industry and NSW Government inter-agency panel and funding allocated based on the size of individual venues, and whether the venue operates exclusively for live music or whether live music forms a significant part of the venue operations.
Recipients can utilise funding for operational costs including but not limited to employing musicians and support crew. 8o
“This will see us clear our debts completely and survive the next 12 months of recovery without the extreme stress and pressure of low turnover from restricted capacities and ongoing COVID-19 scares. Not only that, but it will help us to support the whole industry from artists, staff, promoters and music workers by putting on more events, upgrading equipment and facilities and creating an even better experience for our community,” Ms Dombroski said.
“Venues are the stepping stone for so many artists in their careers, we are so incredibly thankful for everyone who rallied behind NSW live music venues and that we have had our voices heard by NSW Government. Thank you for listening to us, thank you for your support and for not stopping until the best possible outcome was reached for the survival of live music in our state.”
The Live Music Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $51.5 million Tourism Support Package, providing funding to sectors engaged in the NSW visitor economy that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The fund is administered by Destination NSW in partnership with Create NSW and the Office of the 24-hour Economy Commissioner.
For more information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/living-nsw/tourism-support-package.
MASS VACCINATION CENTRE NOW ADMINISTERING ASTRAZENECA VACCINE
The mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park has today started to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine, providing a major boost to the vaccine rollout in NSW as the state surges past a million people protected.
The mass vaccination centre joins the other 26 NSW Health hubs that are giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to over 50s, including 17 in regional and rural NSW.
There are also more than 100 outreach locations that NSW Health vaccination clinics visit, primarily in rural and regional communities, to ensure people in these locations have access to a COVID-19 vaccination.
To date around 1,100 people are already booked in to receive the AstraZeneca jab at Sydney Olympic Park this week, complementing the thousands set to receive it from GPs or one of the many NSW Health sites that administer AstraZeneca.
Last week NSW GPs delivered more than 85,000 AstraZeneca jabs.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered across the state, including 345,393 by NSW Health and 745,379 by GPs and related providers.
“It is important anyone over 50 contact their GP in the first instance for their COVID-19 vaccine,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It is critical to vaccinate our citizens as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said we cannot be complacent when it comes to getting the vaccine.
“We have seen the resurgence of this deadly virus in countries like Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea which, like us, appeared to have suppressed community spread,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Complacency can kill. If and when an outbreak occurs in NSW, the rush to get vaccinated will be great, so as soon as you are eligible we urge you to get vaccinated.”
To book a vaccine and for more information go to: nsw.gov.au/
MAJOR CONTRACT AWARDED FOR M6 STAGE 1
The design and construction contract has been awarded for the M6 Stage 1, which will connect President Avenue at Kogarah with the WestConnex M8 at Arncliffe via four kilometre twin tunnels.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said Transport for NSW awarded the $2.52 billion contract to CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors and UGL, in a joint venture with Ghella, which was one of three finalists for the tender.
“The M6 Stage 1 project will create more than 5,000 jobs, with construction expected to start in early 2022,” Mr Constance said.
“We are returning local roads to the local community, by allowing drivers to bypass up to 23 sets of traffic lights on the Princes Highway and reducing traffic on General Holmes Drive by 10,000 vehicles every day.”
“The M6 Stage 1 is expected to see a 40 per cent reduction in trucks on the Princes Highway north of President Avenue, which will be great news for the local community and local commuters.”
Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos said: “We’ll deliver a new intersection at President Avenue and an upgrade of the busy President Avenue and Princes Highway intersection to improve capacity and network integration.”
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said: “Work is already underway on a $28 million investment in local recreational facilities. Around 200 jobs have been created through these upgrades which are creating great local spots for our local communities.”
Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman said: “The NSW Government is continuing to look to the future of the M6, with investigation and planning work well under way on a future Stage 2.”
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said: “The M6 Stage 1 will expand as Sydney’s south and the Illawarra grow into the future. It will start with two lanes in each direction but will be built for three.”
Expected travel time savings (when used with other motorway connections):
- Kogarah to ANZAC Bridge – up to 15 minutes.
- Miranda to Macquarie Park – up to 15 minutes.
- Kogarah to south Sydney – up to 13 minutes.
- Taren Point to Mascot – up to 12 minutes.
- Kogarah to Sydney CBD – up to 8 minutes.
Around five kilometres of shared cycling and pedestrian pathways, connecting Bestic Street at Brighton Le Sands to O’Connell Street at Kogarah (including a new bridge over President Avenue) are also part of the project.
The M6 Stage 1 is expected to open to traffic in 2025.
Background:
Previously known as the F6 Extension, there’s been a reservation for this motorway corridor since 1951. When first planned, land was reserved for an above-ground motorway. The new M6 Stage 1 will be mainly underground along its four kilometre route.
Consultation on this design of the project has been happening since 2017, and after the M6 Stage 1 was formally announced in 2018, the Environmental Impact Statement was placed on exhibition between November and December that year. Planning approval was secured in December 2019.
Requests for tenders to build the motorway were made in May 2020 with work starting on the community recreational facilities in August 2020.
Community facilities:
The NSW Government has invested $28 million into open space around the future M6 Stage 1 motorway for the local community.
At Brighton Memorial Playing Fields, the improvements include:
- An upgraded full size synthetic field and a new mid-sized grass field.
- A new play area, memorial, lawn area, amenities building and lighting.
- Increased car parking capacity.
The improvements also include a new pedestrian bridge over Muddy Creek, upgrades to West Botany Street Bridge and a relocated car park with increased capacity at West Botany Street.
Teen charged over alleged assault at soccer match – Kurri Kurri
A teenager has been charged following an investigation into an alleged assault at a soccer match in the Hunter region earlier this month.
About 8pm on Wednesday 12 May 2021, a 16-year-old player was allegedly punched in the face at the conclusion of a soccer match held at Birralee Oval in Kurri Kurri, knocking him unconscious.
The teen was transported to Kurri Kurri Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment where it was revealed he had suffered a broken jaw and underwent surgery.
Officers from Newcastle Police District were notified on Thursday 13 May 2021
Following an investigation by detectives attached to Hunter Valley Police District, a 16-year-old boy was arrested after attending Cessnock Police Station just after 3pm yesterday (Monday 24 May 2021).
He was charged with recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm and granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 15 June 2021.
Increasing transparency of home care prices for senior Australians
The Morrison Government is responding to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety by increasing transparency and information on home care prices.
For the first time information has been published relating to the median prices charged for common home care services to help people to make more informed decisions.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the information is a vital part of empowering senior Australians and their families to take greater control of their care.
“This new data will help to show senior Australians, their carers and family the median prices of common services across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas and by state and territory” Minister Hunt said.
“It gives those looking to access care a very important insight into what common available prices and where providers may be charging premium prices.
“We want senior Australians to be able to shop around for their care providers, knowing this will keep downward pressure on prices.”
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the information is compiled from aged care provider information as they are required to report their prices to the Government.
“As part of the early announcement in response to the Royal Commission’s report on 1 March, the Government included significant steps to improve transparency and comparability of pricing, and empower senior Australians with greater choice when it comes to their care,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Since 1 July 2019, all home care providers are required to publish their pricing information in a standardised schedule published on the My Aged Care website. This new data table gives greater visibility of median prices.
“Our Government has invested $200.1 million to deliver a star rating system, and as we progress to it we will see increasing levels of information becoming available to help guide choice, empowering senior Australians to vote with their feet in the hunt for affordable, high quality and appropriate care.
“We expect this information in the hands of senior Australians will encourage providers to enhance their service offerings, while also helping to put downward pressure on unjustified charges, in particular administration charges.”
The publication of the data table shows median prices for services including nursing, in-home respite, personal care, and cleaning and household tasks. It also includes pricing data for care management and package management.
The My Aged Care website already allows users to compare reported pricing at up to 3 providers, however this newly released data will provide additional scope for their decision-making.
The data is updated quarterly and can be found here.