Far-right investigations must spur action on fascist terror

Australian Greens Anti-racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that numerous investigations published today by ABC, Nine and Guardian Australia on far-right and neo-Nazi organising have underscored the need for urgent action to tackle the violent far-right.
Senator Faruqi said:
“These investigations are disturbing but not surprising. We know that the far-right is organising in Australia, and has links to international extremist groups. But the government has its head in the sand.
“This makes ASIO’s decision to back away from the term ‘right-wing extremism’ look even more naive and absurd.
“Far-right groups are on the march and trying to recruit across the country, including by appealing to anti-lockdown sentiments. Some of these groups and individuals openly praise the Christchurch terrorist and are rabidly Islamophobic and antisemitic.
“There must be a zero tolerance approach. Laws on extremism and hate speech must be enforced and strengthened. Governments must unambiguously commit to anti-racism. Community programs to counter the far-right require significant investment. There is no time to waste.”

GREENS LEGISLATE TO KEEP SNOWY CLEAN

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, will introduce a Bill into the House of Representatives that would prevent the government using the Snowy Hydro group to build new gas-fired power stations. The Bill will be seconded by Independent MP, Zali Steggall.
Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor has given the NSW market until the end of April 2021 to make final investment decisions on 1000 MW of new dispatchable capacity to replace Liddell or he says he will direct Snowy Hydro to invest in a new gas-fired power station in the Hunter.
The Greens’ bill would mean Snowy Hydro could not:

  • Develop or construct, or be involved in the development or construction, of new fossil fuel‑based electricity generation capacity;
  • Acquire, purchase or otherwise invest in, or be involved in acquiring, purchasing or investing in, new fossil fuel‑based electricity generation capacity;
  • Operate, or be involved in the operation of, new fossil fuel‑based electricity generation capacity

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:
“Angus Taylor wants to use Snowy Hydro to implement his pro-gas agenda, turning an Australian icon into a polluter and saddling it with a giant white elephant.
“Public money should not be used to make the climate crisis worse.
“Angus Taylor has invented figures to back up his Snowy Hydro threat, imposing a completely arbitrary 1000 MW target when the Liddell Taskforce Report made no such recommendation, the AEMO study for that Report identified a system need for only 215 MW by 2025 and AEMO has since reduced that gap to 154 MW.”
Since the Minister issued his threat, a number of major NSW battery announcements have been made:

  • Origin Energy (700 MW)
  • CEP Energy (1200 MW)
  • Neoen (500 MW)

“Despite all the proposed new investment in NSW, the Minister is still keeping his threat alive, so we must take direct legislative action to prevent the Minister and Snowy Hydro from proceeding with a new gas-fired power station,” Bandt said.
“The IPCC and the IEA have both been clear that there is no more space for new fossil fuel infrastructure if we hope to meet the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Since the sale of the NSW and Victorian shares of Snowy Hydro to the Commonwealth in 2018, Snowy Hydro Ltd is a wholly-owned Commonwealth company.
The Frontier Economics study for the Liddell Taskforce Report did not model the price impact of such a large capacity, so there is no modelling basis for the Minister’s target. A study by Reputex found that replacing Liddell’s capacity with renewables and batteries would be cheaper than with gas.

 

NEW COSTING SHOWS BILLIONS LOST FROM MINING SUPER PROFITS TAX REVERSAL

If the Resource Super Profits Tax had not been watered down and then repealed, it would have raised $34.6 billion dollars, enough to give free dental care to every Australian by including dental in Medicare.
A new costing by the Parliamentary Budget Office, provided to the Greens, shows that the decision to give in to the big mining corporations and billionaires by axing the original “mining tax” has cost the Australian budget $34.6 billion, and bringing a super profits tax back would raise $12.7 billion in the first year.
The cost of providing free dental care to the country by including dental in Medicare has been costed by the PBO at $29 billion over nine years.
The richest three mining billionaires Gina Rinehart, Twiggy Forrest and Clive Palmer saw their wealth grow by 141% or $35 billion between them during the pandemic.
The mining industry invested $20 million in a campaign to overturn the tax, and provide millions of dollars in donations to Liberal, Labor and Nationals. The return on their investment was 1,727% and growing every year that we leave their super profits tax free.
Quotes attributable to Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP:
“Billionaires and big mining corporations are not paying their fair share of tax.”
“If we had the original mining tax, we could have free dental care for everyone.
“Politicians in the establishment parties give billionaires and big corporations too much special treatment. They rely on their donations, and as a result, don’t make them pay their fair share of tax.
“The next election will be closer than most people think.
“If less than a thousand people changed their vote at the last election, the Greens would be in the balance of power.
“At the next election, a minority parliament is likely, and if voters put the Greens in the balance of power, we will make the billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax.
“While everyday people are struggling to afford to go to the dentist, Gina Reinhart, Twiggy Forrest and Clive Palmer increased their wealth by $35 billion during the pandemic.
“By making the billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax, we can make life better for everyone.”

FLOOD RECOVERY STRIKE FORCE HAS MOBILISED

A multiagency Strike Force has mobilised with equipment and crews heading out to commence the clean-up following extreme floods across the State.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the scale of rainfall over the past week and subsequent flooding requires dedicated recovery efforts.
“Our emergency services personnel and volunteers have been outstanding in dealing with the wild weather and the floods, but the scale of rainfall has been enormous and the recovery process will be challenging,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our focus is to make sure affected residents are safe and get back on their feet as soon as possible and the Deputy Premier, backed by Resilience NSW, will be the Minister responsible for the disaster recovery, as he was following the 2019/20 bushfires.”
Mr Barilaro said the Recovery Strike Force is comprised of personnel from the Australian Defence Force, NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire & Rescue NSW, with clean-up efforts beginning yesterday on the Mid North Coast following the all clear from the SES.
“Our priority right now is to ensure roads are accessible, places are safe for people to return, and to assist with washout and clean-up by removing bulk waste,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The 2019/20 bushfires and the clean-up and recovery efforts that followed taught us a great deal, and having worked on bushfire recovery for the past 15 months I will take that experience and those lessons with me to steer recovery following these extreme floods.
“With large parts of NSW impacted by flooding on a scale not seen for decades, our focus remains on protecting life and property,” Mr Elliott said.
“I want to commend our emergency services for their tireless work in these extremely challenging circumstances, and reassure communities that we will continue doing everything in our power to protect them as this event unfolds.”
Service NSW is working in partnership with Resilience NSW and other state agencies, local government and the Australian Government to provide impacted people with information on and access to:

  • Accommodation advice;
  • Relevant charitable services;
  • Mental health and wellbeing services;
  • Support for businesses;
  • Clean-up services;
  • Financial assistance and
  • Insurance and legal support.

The one-stop shop, administered by Service NSW, was created as a response to the unprecedented 2019/20 bushfire season, and has also been utilised for COVID-19.
To connect with a Customer Care specialist, call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88. The Contact Centre hours have been extended to include weekends while communities recover. Information about the Customer Care service is also available in Service NSW Centres.

LIVE PERFORMANCES TO REIGNITE SYDNEY

Sydney’s city centre is set for a new playlist with 39 projects to benefit from more than $1 million in funding through the Play the City (Sydney) NSW Round Two Grants.
The funding is part of the CBD Revitalisation program to help reactivate the Sydney CBD by supporting individuals, venues and arts organisations to present live performances to help rebuild visitor numbers following the pandemic.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the program would play an important part in revitalising our city by encouraging people back to the city was critical to our COVID recovery.
“Getting the arts and entertainment industry back up and running will not only provide our economy with a much needed boost it will give Sydney its soul back,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Reviving this vital industry will help create jobs and get our city humming again ensuring we keep more businesses in business and people in jobs.”
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said Play the City (Sydney) will bring the beat back to the centre of Sydney through live performance throughout 2021.
“Restoring Sydney city’s cultural life and supporting businesses hit hard by the pandemic is a priority for the NSW Government, and Play the City (Sydney) is one initiative in a range of measures that will support live performance and encourage audiences back to the CBD over the coming months,” Mr Harwin said.
“Through 39 projects, this funding will support over 900 artists and the broader live music and performance scene, including diverse and inclusive Australian music events spanning Sydney venues such as the Oxford Art Factory, Darling Square and TAFE NSW Eora, which will be activated by emerging contemporary musicians, Neo Pop performances, album launches, and of course live music.
“After a tough year for our arts and cultural sector and businesses in Sydney’s CBD, this inspiring initiative will boost jobs and activate spaces all across the city over the coming months.”
The Play the City (Sydney) funding program is supporting a program of activities, events and performances that activate the Sydney CBD, and provides an opportunity for audiences to experience artists presenting new work and live performance events.
A full list of recipients is available here. For further information on arts, screen and cultural funding, including targeted support opportunities, visit the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.

Newcastle Food Month just one week from kick off

From Plate Dates to Secret Gin events, posh pop ups to seafood festivals, natural wine masterclasses to night noodle markets and so much more, its only one week until the inaugural Newcastle Food Month kicks off in the heart of the Hunter.
Showcasing New South Wales’ second largest city’s vibrant food scene, the month long program is brimming with events expected to attract foodies from all over the state.
And the signature event, Newcastle’s premiere of the posh Parisienne Pop Up, Le Diner en Blanc will steal the show on Saturday 10th April. The secret location will be revealed en route to the anticipated 1000 strong contingent who will converge on one of the city’s scenic outdoor spaces at once, donning all white from clothing to table wear, and this sophisticated white party. What’s more there are still a few tickets available simply jump onto newcastle.dinerenblanc.com, enter your email address, validate and register for Phase 3. But don’t delay, ticket sales close on 4 April.
The best way to eat your way through the city this April is to hop on a ‘Plate Date’. 60-plus local restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes have all designed a Newcastle Food Month dish and paired it with a beverage for only $25. Start your day with hotcakes and coffee for two at Edmonds & Co or finish it with Beetroot cured Kingfish and a glass of Thomas Wines Semillon at Nagisa. At $25 you’d be mad not to make it a Plate Date in Newcastle this April.
Head to newcastlefoodmonth.com.au for full program details and bookings.

Wests Newcastle partners with #1 Best Selling Author The Healthy Chef to bring healthy dining options to its venues

No stranger to doing things a little differently and always being responsive to consumer trends and member preferences, Wests Newcastle with its five clubs, three gyms and three hotels in the Hunter region, as well as the nib Newcastle Knights, has announced an exciting partnership which will see healthy dining options on the table.
That’s where Teresa Cutter comes in. Teresa is a classically trained chef, nutritionist, best-selling author, accredited fitness trainer and media personality. Known by many as ‘The Healthy Chef’, Teresa’s primary goal is to get people cooking, eating and thinking healthier.
Having admired what Teresa Cutter does, Wests approached Teresa to assist with creating healthy eating options at each of their outlets for day-to-day dining.
This March will see the official launch of this synergistic partnership, with new healthy options added to each club’s menus all designed by Teresa Cutter. From her famous World’s Healthiest Chocolate Cake to wholesome breakfast smoothies, to plant-based Bolognese and beyond, Teresa has made her mark on the clubs’ offering. Seasonally changing Healthy Chef meal options will be available at all Wests Clubs bistros and a selection of cakes, healthy hot ‘Naked Chocolate’, teas and smoothies will be available in all club patisseries year-round. Members will now be able to choose between the club’s traditional menus, or try a healthy alternative.
 For Teresa Cutter “it’s about celebrating the elegance and power of pure and wholesome ingredients, and educating people on how to prepare, eat and think more healthily.” she comments of the opportunity.
The 140,000 plus Wests membership base and their guests will be able to make healthier choices when dining at any of the numerous dining outlets across Newcastle and Port Stephens. Coinciding nicely with the reopening of New Lambton’s fully refurbished Bistro area, members can now enjoy a relaxed and healthy dining experience at Wests.
Members will also have access to The Healthy Chef’s Functional Food Range, consisting of organically sourced proteins, superfoods, collagen, teas and nutritional based wholefood products and cookbooks at special member prices, from next month.
Teresa Cutter will have a selection of her best-selling cookbooks available for sale at special Wests Members prices. Wests members will also be able to take advantage of an incredible discount of 20% off the recently launched and ‘must-have’ Healthy Chef App.
Throughout March, April and May when a menu item is ordered from The Healthy Chef selection at any Wests club, including the daily $15 lunch and dinner option available at each Bistro, members will go in the draw to win a Years’ Worth of Wellness. The prize will include a weekly meal from The Healthy Chef selection, valued at $900*.
 You’ll love the wellness options available at all clubs seven days a week for both lunch and dinner – from Salmon Burgers to Super Green Pie to the always-on Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese, available in all bistro outlets until the end of May. Or if you find yourself at one of Wests Patisserie’s, be sure to give the World’s Healthiest Chocolate Cake, Healthy Carrot Cake with Yoghurt Frosting or one of Teresa’s famous smoothies a go. The Stress Buster Smoothie, the Super Green Smoothie, Nourish Glow Smoothie and her Naked Chocolat drinks and Beauty Tea will be available year round.

Four deaths in a fortnight – Black deaths in custody a national crisis: Greens

The Greens have again called on the Government to act urgently to end Black deaths in custody, following reports today of yet another death of a First Nations man in custody  – the fourth in the past fortnight.

The Aboriginal Legal Service of NSW and ACT today reports that Barkindji man Anzac Sullivan, 37, died during a police pursuit in Broken Hill on Thursday 18 March.
17 April 2021 will mark the 30th anniversary of the handing down of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The report included more than 330 recommendations that, three decades on, have yet to be fully implemented. Since then, around 500 Blak people have been killed in custody – for which not a single individual has been yet held to account.
The Greens today reaffirmed their calls, as a matter of national urgency, for:

Greens Senator for Victoria and DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjamara woman, Lidia Thorpe said:
“On behalf of the Australian Greens, I wish to express our sympathies to Mr Sullivan’s family, friends and community. I know they are hurting today. What they’re experiencing is something that no family or community should ever have to go through.
“As First Nations people, we are sad – and we are angry beyond words. Why does this system continue to kill us off? We know that was the intent from the beginning of the colonial invasion – is this part of the same genocidal agenda?
“Why should our people keep dying in places where they’re meant to be kept safe? The system is deeply racist.
“As recently as last week, this Government said deaths in custody were a ‘tragedy’, and said they were sorry.
“We’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times. Sorry isn’t good enough. Sorry means you don’t do it again. It’s all talk and no action from these people, and these families deserve better.”
 

An extra $135 million to help Australia’s creative sector rise

The Morrison Government will inject an additional $135 million to support thousands of jobs in the arts and entertainment sector, as it continues to come back from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Government will provide a further $125 million, available until 31 December 2021, into the already successful Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund. This funding will support around 230 projects and up to 90,000 jobs and builds on an original commitment of $75 million. RISE funding is provided to arts businesses and organisations as competitive project grants towards the cost of putting on activities such as festivals, concerts, tours, productions and events.
The Government will also provide a further $10 million to the charity Support Act in 2020-21, to assist with its vital work in providing crisis support to artists and other workers across the creative sector. This is in addition to the $10 million directed to Support Act by the Morrison Government last April.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said RISE is helping to drive the creative economy resurgence, as venues reopen and performances are booked in.
“Our focus has turned to stimulating activity so the work opportunities can flow,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This new funding comes at an important stage in the resurgence of Australia’s arts and entertainment sector. The purpose of the RISE program is to get shows put on, bringing employment to performers, crews and front-of-house staff.”
The Government will also update the RISE program’s guidelines to:

  • Make it easier for multiple businesses and organisations to access the program to put on a show, including pre-production support. For example, it is common in the music industry that a promoter works with an artist, their manager, a sound and lighting provider and various other parties in the lead-up to a concert or tour.
  • Encourage projects from as low as $25,000.

The Government will consult on the wording of these changes before finalising them.
The boost to the RISE program builds on the Government’s investment of almost $800 million in additional arts and entertainment funding announced in 2020, on top of an investment of around $750 million in annual funding, more than $730 million provided to the Creative and Performing Arts subdivision of industry through JobKeeper, and about $119 million provided in cash flow payments to Creative and Performing Arts organisations.
For more information about COVID-19 and arts support visit: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update.

Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine rollout is underway: indigenous people 55 and over, roll up your sleeves

As of this week around 87,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 or older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in phase 1B of the national rollout strategy.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP today made time to attend Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service to receive his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We have done a remarkable job so far in the fight against the COVID-19 virus, we cannot now become complacent,” Minister Wyatt said. “Vaccines are an important tool in our strategy and I urge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to come forward and get vaccinated when they are able to. It will help protect themselves, their family and their community.”
There are 32 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services around the country who will begin providing COVID-19 vaccinations this week. The number of participating services and delivery sites will increase each week; building to around 100 services for around 300 sites in remote, rural and urban communities. People can also get their vaccination from general practices, commonwealth vaccination clinics (previously known as GP-led respiratory clinics). Pharmacies will begin vaccinations later in the rollout.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advised the Australian Government to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccination in Australia based on evidence on who would be most affected if they contracted COVID-19.
“Our people have a higher risk of getting and developing serious outcomes from communicable diseases due to a number of factors including having a high rate of underlying chronic health conditions and in some cases crowded-living conditions, which increases the risk of transmission,” Minister Wyatt said.
“It’s normal to have questions or concerns, and possibly feel hesitant about getting a vaccine. I encourage all of you to listen to your local community controlled health organisation as a trusted source” he added.
The Department of Health also provides evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines on health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines-is-it-true.
One of the reasons Australia has been so successful in preventing COVID-19 in reaching remote and Indigenous communities and causing serious illness, like it has overseas, is the quick response and hard work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, leaders and health services.
Every Australian will have the opportunity to be vaccinated over the coming months and we thank every Australian for their patience. There are more than six million Australians in phase 1B, and not everyone will be able to be vaccinated immediately. No-one will miss out, whether they live in a city or country town or a very remote area.
To see if you are eligible and find your local service to make an appointment, you can use the eligibility checker at covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility or you can also contact your health service or general practitioner directly.
The Australian Government continues working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and state and territory governments in all aspects of the National Response to COVID-19, including in the roll-out of the vaccine program to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia.
For more: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/getting-vaccinated-for-covid-19/information-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples-about-covid-19-vaccines