Labor’s Electric Car Discount and Community Battery Plan to Cut Household Bills and Emissions

An Albanese Labor Government will deliver an Electric Car Discount and Power to the People – Community Battery Plan that cuts taxes, unlocks consumer choice, reduces power and fuel costs for families, and cuts emissions.
Under Labor, electric vehicles will be cheaper.
Just 0.7 per cent of cars sold in Australia are electric, compared to a global average of 4.2 per cent, and 75 per cent in Norway.
A majority of Australians say they would consider buying an electric model as their next car, but because of scaremongering and the policy vacuum under the Morrison government, electric vehicles remain unaffordable for most Australians.
Labor will cut government taxes on non-luxury electric vehicles, including import taxes and fringe benefits tax, to give people choice and ensure that more Australians who want electric cars can afford them.
By reducing upfront costs, Labor’s Electric Car Discount will encourage uptake, cutting fuel and transport costs for households and reducing emissions at the same time.
Labor’s Electric Car Discount will encourage car makers to supply more affordable electric vehicles to Australia which will in turn increase competition, drive down price and give consumers more choice.
An Albanese Labor Government will also develop Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
Labor will pursue policy settings to encourage Australian manufacturing of EV components, and consider leveraging existing Commonwealth investments in its fleet and infrastructure spend to increase electric vehicle stock.
An Albanese Labor Government will also deliver Power to the People – the community battery plan to cut power bills, support the grid and reduce emissions.
Australian households have been voting with their feet on rooftop solar.
Our 1 in 5 solar households is world-leading.
But without battery storage, solar households are still reliant on the grid when the sun isn’t shining.
Only 1 in 60 households have battery storage, because the upfront costs are still just too high.
Labor’s Power to the People is a $200 million investment to install 400 community batteries across the country.
It will support 100, 000 households by storing energy from solar households during the day, and drawing on it at night – reducing power bills, reducing demand on the grid at peak times, and cutting emissions.
Households that can’t install solar (like apartments and renters) can participate by drawing from excess energy stored in community batteries.
The technology of the future to cut household bills and emissions is already here, we just need the policy settings to unleash it.
When it comes to lower power bills and reducing fuel costs for families, Labor is on your side.
That’s exactly what an Albanese Labor Government will deliver.
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese said:

“Only Labor is on your side when it comes to reducing power bills and fuel costs for families.”
“Labor’s Power to the People will invest in Australia’s future and help Australia catch up to the rest of the world when it comes to electric vehicles.”

Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said:

“Labor’s Power to the People will unlock the full potential of rooftop solar for Australian households – lower power bills, cut emissions, and help stabilise the grid.”
“Labor’s Electric Car Discount will cut government taxes on electric vehicles, and reduce day-to day transport costs and emissions for Australian families.”

Discover space and future jobs in Adelaide

Young Australians will be inspired to dream big and consider a space career, with the launch of the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide.
Located in the innovation precinct of Lot Fourteen, the Australian Space Discovery Centre will showcase hands-on interactive space exhibits and provide practical advice for those wanting to pursue a career in the growing space sector.
There is also a state-of-the-art Mission Control Centre on site, which will simultaneously inspire people who visit, while also making it easier for local start-ups to control satellites and space missions.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the number one place to visit for those interested in Australia’s space industry.
“The Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the go-to destination for curious minds to learn about the wonders of space and to see themselves as part of Australia’s space story,” the Prime Minister said.
“But the Discovery Centre isn’t just for the young and the young at heart – the cutting-edge Mission Control Centre will enable our local space businesses to track and control their very own missions and satellites, providing critical new capability here on home soil.”
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said the Australian Space Discovery Centre and Mission Control cemented South Australia as the space capital of Australia.
“The Federal Government has an ambition to grow the size of the Australian space economy to $12 billion by 2030 and create an additional 20,000 jobs,” said the Premier.
“South Australia will lead this charge – and that’s a coup for our state. Young South Australians should have stars in their eyes.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the exciting national facilities are an investment in Australia’s future – including future jobs in space and other industries.
“Careers in space aren’t all about being an astronaut. From manufacturing, to engineering, space medicine, geology, AI and computing, there are thousands of opportunities being created in this rapidly-growing sector – and we want to inspire the next generation to consider one of these exciting jobs,” Minister Porter said.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said that space was at the heart of a 10-year agreement to grow Adelaide as an innovative and vibrant city.
“The Adelaide City Deal sets out a plan to boost the economic and social vibrancy of Adelaide. The Discovery Centre and Mission Control Centre at Lot Fourteen will be an important part of this plan,” Minister Fletcher said.
Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said the Mission Control Centre was part of the Agency’s Space Infrastructure Fund, targeting investment in common-user platforms to allow Australian businesses and researchers to focus on space-related solutions.
“We are establishing infrastructure for critical space flight and engineering capability. Companies and researchers at university will be able to utilise the Mission Control Centre for pre-flight testing, launch support, as well as communications during flight,” Mr Palermo said.
The Australian Space Discovery Centre will open to the general public in May following rigorous testing with community groups and other organisations throughout April. The Centre is being delivered in partnership between the Australian Space Agency and Questacon.
Since 1 July 2018, the Morrison Government has invested over $700 million into the Australian civil space sector as part of our goal to triple the sector’s size to $12 billion and create up to an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.

The Station set for live site as world’s best surfers drop-in to Newcastle

A ‘live site’ for the community to soak up the festival atmosphere of the World Surf League (WSL)’s Newcastle Cup has been created at The Station.
Thousands of spectators are expected to descend on Merewether Beach each day to watch the world’s best 52 pro-surfers face off from this Thursday.
WSL.jpeg
For those who can’t get beachside for the action at Merewether, City of Newcastle is creating a live Newcastle Cup hub with big screen projection of the live action taking place on Merewether Beach, complete with food trucks and live entertainment.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the live site will be a family-friendly way for locals to enjoy the festival atmosphere brought through the Championship Tour event.
“The anticipation for WSL’s Newcastle Cup is building with vision of superstars like Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreria sampling the swell off Merewether and Dixon Park beaches last week being shared all over social media,” the Lord Mayor said.
“WSL has had a huge response to its free ticket ballot being run through Ticketek, and it’s looking like each surfing day will be at capacity at the Merewether Beach event precinct.
“City of Newcastle’s live site will be the place to catch the action for anyone who missed out on tickets or simply looking for a fun, family-friendly atmosphere to watch the surfing while having a drink and a bite to eat.
“With Job Keeper ending this week, the Newcastle Cup is expected to deliver a timely $15 million-plus injection into our region’s economy, with many businesses still on the road to economic recovery following COVID-19 disruptions.
“Already, the event is proving to be a major economic driver with our city’s hotels bursting over the next two-week period, some at 100% occupancy, accommodating the influx of WSL competitors, media representatives, event officials and fans.
“We look forward to welcoming athletes and avid surfing fans to Newcastle and encourage locals to join in the atmosphere and excitement of the Newcastle Cup at The Station.”
Visit City of Newcastle’s new What’s ON website to discover what else is happening across Newcastle during an ‘Action-Packed April’ in the city.
City of Newcastle, in partnership with the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW secured Merewether Beach as the first Australian stop on the World Surf League’s revamped 2021 Championship Tour.

Local Government Elections

As previously advised, the next local government general elections will take place on 4 September 2021 for all Councils in New South Wales.
State Executive has resolved that the Party will contest the following additional local government areas (series 4):

  • Canterbury-Bankstown;
  • Hunters Hill;
  • Liverpool City;
  • Port Stephens; and
  • Queanbeyan-Palerang.

Please note that nominations are being re-opened in Port Stephens and Queanbeyan-Palerang, following unforeseen circumstances resulting in no valid nominations.
Nominations for selection to winnable positions in the above listed local government areas will open at 9:00am on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 and close at 5:00pm sharp on Wednesday, 21 April 2021.
Nominations for selection for unwinnable positions in the series 4 local government areas will also open at 9:00am on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 and will close upon the recommendation of the State Director following consultation with the Local Government Oversight Committee.
Members are invited to nominate for all positions, including unwinnable positions (please refer to the Members section of our website for a list of all winnable positions in these local government areas).

Nomination Forms

Nomination forms are available by clicking the download button or click here.
Please ensure you nominate using the current nomination form available by clicking the link above or from the forms and downloads section of the Members Website. Please do not use nomination forms circulated with previous emails.
The nomination form has been revised since nominations were opened for the 2020 local government elections and series 1 of the 2021 elections, and nominations lodged on a previous version of the nomination form will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure you are using the current version of the form.
Please contact the Party Affairs Team if you have any questions regarding the nomination form or process.

Media Regulations

Members are reminded of the Division’s media regulations with regard to making public comments on nominations and pre-selections.
No public statements, either written or oral can be made by party members in relation to party matters including the selection or contesting of seats.
If you have questions or are unsure whether a statement may breach the media policy please contact the Secretariat.

Cabinet reshuffle is cold comfort to Australian women say Greens

The Greens say the Prime Minister’s reshuffle is rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and won’t fix entrenched cultural and systemic issues in parliament or improve the lives of Australian women.
Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women Larissa Waters said:
“A whole one additional woman in Cabinet will not change the rank and sexist culture in this government, the Liberal Party, or the parliament.
“How is it possible that after all that has happened over the past few weeks, Christian Porter and Linda Reynolds remain in the Cabinet? If the PM thinks moving Porter to a different ministry will make Australian women forget the allegations against him he’s reading us wrong, again.
“The PM has shown that once again, his priority is to his mates, not women or victims and survivors of violence.
“If the PM was serious about fixing the culture in parliament he would appoint a Cabinet of 50% women, and ensure that it also reflected the diversity of our community by including people of colour and people of differing abilities, races and religions.
“The newly announced Cabinet taskforce on women’s equality, safety, economic security, health and wellbeing should start with reinstating the women’s budget impact statement axed by Tony Abbott in 2014. For decades prior to that the statement had applied an essential gender lens on all budget decisions.
“That taskforce should also implement all 55 of the Respect@Work recommendations, fully fund frontline domestic violence and sexual assault services, legislate to end the gender pay gap, strengthen sexual harassment laws, make early childhood education free, build enough social housing and fund and resource compulsory whole-of-school consent training in all schools nationwide.
“These are practical and material steps that this government can be taking right now to end gender inequality, stop gendered violence and improve the lives of all Australian women.
“We need more action and fewer press conferences.”

Labor’s Plan for a National Reconstruction Fund Creating Jobs and Driving Investment

An Albanese Labor Government will establish a National Reconstruction Fund to create secure jobs for Australian workers, drive regional economic development, boost our sovereign capability and diversify the nation’s economy.
The COVID pandemic has exposed serious deficiencies in Australia’s economy, in particular our ability to manufacture products and be globally competitive when it comes to innovation and technology.
Building new industries and boosting our existing industries represents an opportunity for Australia to recover from the COVID pandemic with a stronger economy. After 8 long years of policy drift presided over by consecutive Liberal leaders, this country needs a government with a vision to put the country back on a road to prosperity.
Labor’s plan for a National Reconstruction Fund will allocate $15 billion to partner with the private sector, including superannuation funds to support investments which demonstrate they will grow the economy and increase employment.
From commercialising our historic capacity in science and innovation to boosting the development of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, through to reviving our capability to make cars, trains and ships, today’s announcement will support the businesses in these industries to secure the capital and investment to grow and prosper.
Australia must be a country that makes things, to have our own industrial and manufacturing capabilities.
If there is anything that COVID has taught us, it is the need for Australia to be a place which makes things- to have our own industrial and manufacturing capabilities – our own sovereign capabilities.
This will build on Labor’s Future Made in Australia agenda to invest in Australia and Australian workers.
The Fund will be legislated and be governed by an independent Board using the successful model which Labor created through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
It will provide $15 billion of investment through a combination of loans, equity, co-investment and guarantees. The Fund will be administered on the basis that it will achieve a return to cover borrowing costs, with an expected positive underlying cash impact.
Labor’s plan to unlock investment opportunities is the first part of our comprehensive plan of our national reconstruction agenda.
Australians deserve a government that is on their side.

Appointment to Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations

I am honoured the Prime Minster has today appointed me as Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations.
As Attorney-General, I will, among many tasks, work closely with Senator Amanda Stoker to finalise the Government’s response to the Respect@Work report.
In my role as Industrial Relations Minister, I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that employers, in particular small businesses, and their employees are given better access to information about their rights and responsibilities. This will help create greater confidence for small business to employ more Australians.
I want to thank my predecessor the Hon Christian Porter MP for his work in the Attorney General and Industrial Relations portfolios.
As Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business I am extremely proud of my record. As Employment Minister, I worked with colleagues to oversee the largest return in jobs, following the short and sharp recession caused by the covid-19 pandemic. I am also proud to have initiated the overhaul and modernisation of our employment services system to create more efficient and better outcomes for job seekers.
It was an honour to serve as Minister for Skills where skills reforms agreed by the National Cabinet have been progressed and I thank my State and Territory counterparts for the constructive way we have engaged on these reforms.
The success of the Morrison Government apprenticeship wage subsidies has seen more than 120,000 apprentices remain in their jobs and created over 100,000 new apprenticeship and trainee opportunities.
Finally, in the Small and Family Business area, I have implemented a number of landmark reforms to support small businesses to prosper, grow and hire more Australians. This includes improving small business cash flow through the Payment Times Reporting Scheme and Procurement Connected Policy and access to finance through the Australian Business Securitisation Fund and the Australian Business Growth Fund.
With these achievements, and a record number of Australians in employment, I believe my successor the Hon Stuart Robert MP will be able to continue to deliver good outcomes for all Australians.
 
Scott Morrison

City delivers new local centre for Merewether

City of Newcastle has delivered its $2 million upgrade of Llewellyn Street, Merewether ahead of schedule and to budget, creating a safe, attractive space for the community to shop and enjoy.
The upgrade includes new street furniture and landscaping, alongside a range of pedestrian safety improvements including three new raised crossings, kerb extensions to reduce road crossing distances and upgraded footpaths.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project has made the area more accessible for people and has addressed safety and flooding issues along Llewellyn Street.
“This upgrade has completely revitalised this precinct and the improvements will benefit both the businesses and the community now and long into the future,” Cr Nelmes said.
“A highlight is the upgraded space at Dent Street which features new street furniture and an open space for locals and visitors to gather and enjoy a bite to eat and a coffee from the nearby café.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said the project has brought vibrancy and a sense of community to the small precinct.
“I’m really glad the project is now complete as it’s going to benefit a wide range of people. This was a streetscape in need of some love and it’s great to see what City of Newcastle crews have been able to deliver.”
Local business owner Kurt Banks said the upgrades have revitalised the space outside his café, Cuppa Joe’s, and significantly increased the appeal of outdoor dining for his patrons.
“This upgrade is good for the community and businesses and we are looking forward to the positives the new outdoor seating and upgraded footpaths will bring. Both will be great in getting more people to the space and increasing trade.”
The Llewellyn Street upgrade was delivered under the City’s Local Centres program, which is delivering upgrades to suburban centres across the local government area including the recently completed upgrade at Joslin Street, Kotara, the upgrade underway at Mitchell Street, Stockton, and upgrades due for delivery later this year at Shortland and at James Street Plaza, Hamilton.
To find out more about the Local Centres program visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/localcentres

RECOVERY CENTRES OPEN IN FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS

Dedicated community Recovery Centres are now open, providing face-to-face support for NSW residents affected by recent rainfall and subsequent extreme flooding.
The first Recovery Centres are located in Port Macquarie, Taree and Laurieton with another opening today in Macksville.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the NSW Government, community organisations, and welfare bodies will work from the recovery centres to assist individuals, businesses, farmers and landholders dealing with the fallout from the record-breaking storms and flooding.
“The recovery process is well underway, with equipment and crews mobilised for the clean-up, and these recovery centres will further help flood-affected communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We will work with local communities and councils to progressively build on the services offered at the drop-in Recovery Centres and we will continue to support flood-affected communities for as long as it takes and in every way we can.”
The Recovery Centres are located at;

  • The Hub, 143 Gordon Street, Port Macquarie
  • The old Council Chambers, 2 Pulteney Street, Taree
  • The School of Arts Hall, 58 Bold Street, Laurieton
  • he Senior Citizens Centre, 39 Princes Street, Macksville (opening today)

Three more Recovery Centres will soon be established in the Hawkesbury region, to be located in the Windsor, Wisemans Ferry, and North Richmond areas.
The NSW Government is working in partnership with local government and the Commonwealth Government to provide impacted people with information on and access to:

  • Clean-up services
  • Financial assistance
  • Insurance and legal support
  • Support for businesses
  • Mental health and wellbeing services

The NSW Government will closely monitor the need for any additional recovery centres and stands ready to provide further support where required.
For those wanting to be assisted remotely, and for more information on all available disaster assistance, please contact the Disaster Customer Care Service at Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au.

METRO SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT FROM STIMULUS PROJECTS

More than 190 schools will receive priority upgrades, including improvements to playgrounds, sports courts and libraries, thanks to Tranche 2 of the $120 million NSW Government Metro Renewal Program.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell visited Homebush Boys High School today to announce the projects that will receive funding.
Homebush Boys High School will receive a $2 million upgrade to convert an existing building into a new library with a “STEM” Room and seminar rooms with student study areas. The school will also receive upgrades to its admin area, staff lounge and interview rooms.
Ms Berejiklian said the NSW Government is committed to ensuring students across NSW have access to quality school facilities.
“Hundreds of schools across Sydney have been given the green light to their projects and will go out to tender immediately,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Fires, COVID-19 and floods have had a huge impact on people across NSW, including our school communities who saw their school year disrupted and campuses impacted. This funding will provide a boost, not only to local school infrastructure projects and the economy but also to the morale of school communities.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the program is driven by what school communities want.
“I’m delighted to see 220 metro projects in this next tranche of the program, all put forward by schools as priorities,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Overall, we will see over $76 million invested in metro school infrastructure in this second tranche of the program.”
In November 2020 the NSW Government announced the $240 million Metro and Regional Renewal Program. To date, over 1,300 have been approved (over 790 and 590 in tranche one and tranche two respectively) across over 1,200 schools.
The programs will support over 2,600 jobs across regional and metro NSW, and wherever possible, schools will use local contractors and suppliers ensuring the positive impacts of this stimulus are felt as far and wide as possible.
The projects are identified by school communities and co-funded by the school and the NSW Government.
The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.