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.

NSW OPEN FOR BUSINESS WITH NEW AGENCY- INVESTMENT NSW LEADING THE WAY

Investment NSW, a new NSW Government agency, is open for business from today, reinforcing the State’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
Premier Berejiklian says the new agency will drive local and global investment and create the jobs of the future for NSW, showing the world that the State is open for business.
“Investment NSW is a one-stop-shop for the private sector – attracting and growing Australian and global companies, overseas capital, talent, tourists and students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From today, Investment NSW is up and running, with a mission to enhance NSW’s global position as a safe place to do business, attracting investment capital and creating jobs for our State.
“It will act as a concierge for businesses and investors to help them navigate the many options available for partnering with the NSW Government, whether that’s payroll exemptions, co-funding great ideas, providing connections to global export markets and more.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is the blueprint that will reinforce NSW’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many challenges – bushfires, drought, flood and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“Now is the time to be confident and on the front foot in attracting investment, talent and visitors who will drive us to new heights as we look beyond economic recovery to growth.”
Investment NSW will be led by Chief Executive Amy Brown, who was previously Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, heading the economic and commercial leadership team.
“As a central agency, Investment NSW will drive all trade and investment attraction activities as a one-stop-shop to maximise economic benefits and jobs growth across NSW,” Ms Brown said.
“From day one we will be reaching out to key industry partners and investors – both domestic and international – to start work on their top priorities for government to partner through the COVID recovery.”
The establishment of Investment NSW brings together a number of groups from across government into the Premier and Cabinet cluster including the Jobs, Investment and Tourism group from NSW Treasury (includes Jobs Plus and the 24 Economy Commissioner), Destination NSW, Study NSW, R&D NSW and Global NSW.
Investment NSW will be jointly responsible to the Premier, the Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade and the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney.
For more information about Investment NSW visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/

NEW PRESIDENT OF THE NSW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The NSW Government congratulates Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC on her election as the NSW Legislative Council’s 22nd President.
The Presidency became vacant after John Ajaka MLC announced his retirement and the House was compelled to elect a new President before conducting any further business.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Don Harwin said Ms Maclaren-Jones was an outstanding and highly competent member of the Legislative Council and would make a fair and impartial President.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones has the demonstrated temperament, character and expertise to be the President of this House. She was elected to the House 10 years ago in 2011 and has served for a decade with distinction.
“As Government Whip, Ms Maclaren-Jones has been remarkably capable, with a flair for organisation of government members and also has shown a level of leadership to ensure the Chamber and its processes function effectively,” Mr Harwin said.
The Government’s position, reinforced by legal advice from the Crown Solicitor, is that Natasha Maclaren-Jones is the legitimately elected President of the Legislative Council. The Government relies on the construction of the standing orders – specifically standing order 13(2) which says,
“When 2 members have been proposed as President, ballot papers will be distributed by the Clerks to all members in their places. Members must write on the ballot paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote, and deposit it in the ballot box provided by the Clerk. The candidate who has the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President, and will be conducted to the Chair.”
The Government notes that standing order 13(3) – under which the Clerk declared the ballots on Wednesday – only applies where there are more than two candidates.
The legal advice received by the Government from the Crown Solicitor has been sent to the Clerk of the Parliaments and distributed to members of the Legislative Council.
Minister Harwin said, “The Standing Orders are clear. In the case of a ballot where there are only two candidates, the candidate with the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President.”
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Sarah Mitchell congratulated Ms Maclaren-Jones.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones is a champion for female representation – not only in Parliament but in politics generally. She is a great role model, especially for the next generation of women and is an exceptional choice for the Presidency of the Legislative Council,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Her wealth of experience includes five years as a Temporary Chair of Committees, working with boards of women’s refuges in the Northern Beaches community and being a part of the Parliamentary Friends for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.”

FREE HYGIENE PRODUCTS FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS

Free menstrual hygiene products will be available to students in two pilot regions in NSW ahead of a wider rollout.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell and Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor announced the locations of the trial today at Birrong Girls High School.
Ms Mitchell said the pilot will run in 30 schools across Western Sydney and Dubbo for two terms.
“It’s important no female student feels like they can’t fully participate in all aspects of school life because they do not have access to menstrual hygiene products,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I want to make sure there are no barriers to education for female students just because they get periods.
“Once the pilot is finished we can look at how we roll this service out to all schools in the state.”
Dispensers will be provided with sanitary products including pads and tampons at no cost to schools or students. The department will trial two types of dispensers, which will be placed in the female student’s bathrooms.
Minister for Regional Youth and Women, Bronnie Taylor said this is something that many young girls have been asking for.
“I know that women and girls’ physical, social and economic potential is maximised when they are healthy, and their health needs are addressed,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Providing sanitary products has the potential to positively impact educational engagement and attainment, whilst reducing shame and embarrassment.”
Information about the products and their availability has been supplied to principals and schools will educate students who are likely to access the products as well as distributing materials to their community.

NSW OPEN FOR BUSINESS WITH NEW AGENCY- INVESTMENT NSW LEADING THE WAY

Investment NSW, a new NSW Government agency, is open for business from today, reinforcing the State’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
Premier Berejiklian says the new agency will drive local and global investment and create the jobs of the future for NSW, showing the world that the State is open for business.
“Investment NSW is a one-stop-shop for the private sector – attracting and growing Australian and global companies, overseas capital, talent, tourists and students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From today, Investment NSW is up and running, with a mission to enhance NSW’s global position as a safe place to do business, attracting investment capital and creating jobs for our State.
“It will act as a concierge for businesses and investors to help them navigate the many options available for partnering with the NSW Government, whether that’s payroll exemptions, co-funding great ideas, providing connections to global export markets and more.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is the blueprint that will reinforce NSW’s position as the economic engine room of the country.
“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many challenges – bushfires, drought, flood and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“Now is the time to be confident and on the front foot in attracting investment, talent and visitors who will drive us to new heights as we look beyond economic recovery to growth.”
Investment NSW will be led by Chief Executive Amy Brown, who was previously Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, heading the economic and commercial leadership team.
“As a central agency, Investment NSW will drive all trade and investment attraction activities as a one-stop-shop to maximise economic benefits and jobs growth across NSW,” Ms Brown said.
“From day one we will be reaching out to key industry partners and investors – both domestic and international – to start work on their top priorities for government to partner through the COVID recovery.”
The establishment of Investment NSW brings together a number of groups from across government into the Premier and Cabinet cluster including the Jobs, Investment and Tourism group from NSW Treasury (includes Jobs Plus and the 24 Economy Commissioner), Destination NSW, Study NSW, R&D NSW and Global NSW.
Investment NSW will be jointly responsible to the Premier, the Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade and the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney.
For more information about Investment NSW visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/

WORK STARTS ON MAJOR CITY-SHAPING PROJECT

Work has started on the upgrade to the Warringah Freeway, which will pave the way for the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, and transform the way the community moves between western Sydney and Sydney’s north.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said more than 15,000 jobs will be created during construction for the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link Program, with about 600 people working on the freeway upgrade.
“Workers are donning hard hats for the first time on this city-shaping project to begin work on the Warringah Freeway, which includes service and utility relocations, before major work starts later this year,” Mr Constance said.
“The Warringah Freeway upgrade is just the first stage of this massive program, which will connect western Sydney to Sydney’s north and help slash travel times for thousands of commuters by up to 56 minutes.”
Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said the four kilometre upgrade, between North Sydney and Naremburn, will reduce lane merging, boost safety, and improve traffic flow for the 250,000 vehicles who use the freeway every day.
“This upgrade is part of our commitment to ease congestion on local roads and it will streamline the Warringah Freeway to connect to the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link,” Ms Wilson said.
“Transport for NSW will deliver a continuous southbound bus lane from Miller Street to the Harbour Bridge, which will improve bus links to the North Sydney CBD and the new Sydney Metro, while also building new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said the community will be kept updated throughout all phases of this massive program.
“The Warringah Freeway is the main artery from Sydney’s north into the heart of the CBD, and this game-changing project will help people spend less time sitting in traffic and more time with family and friends,” Mr Griffin said.
“Community feedback on the entire program has been valuable in helping understand and deliver positive changes. We will continue to work closely with the local communities through every stage of this major program.”
The Western Harbour Tunnel will deliver major travel time savings, including

  • Up to 20 minutes from Sydney Olympic Park to North Sydney.
  • Up to 20 minutes from Leichhardt to North Sydney.
  • Up to 15 minutes from North Sydney to the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
  • Up to 20 minutes on the city commute from locations such as Chatswood, Roseville, Lindfield, Forestville, Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Cromer and North Narrabeen.

Combined with improvements to the wider network, future forecast travel time savings for Beaches Link include:

  • Up to 38 minutes from Balgowlah to Sydney CBD.
  • Up to 56 minutes from Dee Why to Sydney Airport.
  • Up to 54 minutes from Frenchs Forest to Rozelle.

Drivers are encouraged to visit the online portal at nswroads.work/whtportal to have a virtual experience of what their commute will look like when the program is complete.