Author: admin

Budget 21021: 2021 Securing Australia’s Recovery

Our plan to secure Australia’s recovery will create more jobs, rebuild our economy and set the country up for the future.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison Government has provided $291 billion in direct economic support to keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs.
Our economic recovery has beaten even the most optimistic of our expectations with more people in work than ever before. JobKeeper has done its job.
Under our plan, the unemployment rate is forecast to fall below 5 per cent by late 2022 while the economy is forecast to grow by 5¼ per cent in 2021 and 2¾ per cent in 2022 having outperformed every major advanced economy in 2020.
As part of the 2021-22 Budget the Government is:

  • Providing tax relief for more than 10 million hard-working Australians, to put more money in their pockets to spend in small businesses across the country helping to create jobs
  • Incentivising business to invest, creating more economic activity and more jobs
  • Investing in skills and training to fill skills shortages and to provide Australians with the skills they need to get a job
  • Investing in more infrastructure to boost the nation’s productivity and to create more jobs
  • Backing our manufacturing sector to diversify our economy and to create more jobs
  • Boosting workforce participation by making child care more affordable
  • $2.6 billion for the North-South Corridor in South Australia
  • $2 billion for the Great Western Highway in New South Wales
  • $2 billion initial investment for a new Melbourne Intermodal Terminal in Victoria
  • $400 million for Bruce Highway Additional Funding in Queensland
  • $379 million for METRONET in Western Australia
  • $150 million for highway upgrades in the Northern Territory
  • $132.5 million for Canberra Light Rail – Stage 2A in the Australian Capital Territory and
  • $113.4 million for the Midland Highway Upgrades in Tasmania.
  • Increase the child care subsidies available to families with more than one child aged five and under in child care, benefitting around 250,000 families
  • Remove the $10,560 cap on the Child Care Subsidy, benefitting around 18,000 families

Tax relief
To secure Australia’s recovery the budget provides an additional tax cut to more than 10 million low and middle income earners.
It will see low and middle income earners benefit by up to $1,080 for individuals or $2,160 for couples.
This is more money to spend in local businesses, giving them the confidence to take on an extra worker, offer an extra shift or buy a new piece of equipment.
To support further job creation the Government will extend temporary full expensing and the loss carry back measure announced in last year’s budget for another year.
This will allow more than 99 per cent of businesses employing 11.5 million Australians to deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets of any value in the year they are installed until 30 June 2023.
It will also allow companies with turnover up to $5 billion to offset losses for the 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and now 2022-23 income years against previously taxed profits from 2018-19 or subsequent years to generate a refund.
Skills and training
The Government is doubling its commitment to the JobTrainer Fund to support a further 163,000 new training places to upskill job seekers and meet skills shortages.
The Budget also funds more than 170,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships, 5,000 higher education short courses and 2,700 places in indigenous girls academies to help them finish school and get a job.
We will also accelerate digitals skills training for job seekers with low levels of reading, writing, maths and computer skills.
Women will also benefit from STEM scholarships and programs to help them to break into non‑traditional trades.
Infrastructure
The Government is building the infrastructure our economy needs for the future, with a record 10-year $110 billion infrastructure pipeline, which is already supporting 100,000 jobs across the country.
The 2021-22 Budget goes further with $15.2 billion in additional infrastructure commitments, which will support a further 30,000 jobs across the lives of those projects, including:
These commitments also include $1 billion for road safety upgrades and a further $1 billion for community infrastructure.
Building our capability
In last year’s Budget the Government invested $1.5 billion in a Modern Manufacturing Strategy to ensure our international competitiveness and to create more jobs.
We also backed in our manufacturing plan with an additional $2 billion in R&D tax incentives.
The 2021-22 Budget goes further with a new ‘patent box’ starting on 1 July 2022.
Under the patent box, income earned from new patents that have been developed in Australia will be taxed at a concessional rate of 17 per cent.
The patent box will apply to the medical and biotech sectors and we will consult on expanding it to the clean energy sector.
The comprehensive manufacturing plan will help Australian businesses to develop the next bionic ear or cervical cancer vaccine.
The 2021-22 Budget also invests in measures to help small businesses and farmers expand and diversify their export markets with an additional $87.7 million in funding for the Agri-Business Expansion Initiative.
To ensure our industries remain competitive, the 2021-22 Budget also makes critical investments to deliver more affordable and reliable energy.
This includes helping unlock Australia’s vast gas reserves in the North Bowen and Galilee Basins, and investing in hydrogen-ready gas plants.
To further shore up our fuel security the Budget helps local refineries to keep operating in Australia.
Child care
To cut the cost of living for around a quarter of a million families and to help boost workforce participation, the Government is making an additional $1.7 billion investment in child care.
The investment will add up to 300,000 hours of work per week which would allow the equivalent of around 40,000 individuals to work an extra day per week and boost the level of GDP by up to $1.5 billion per year.
The changes target low and middle income earners with around half the families set to benefit having a household income under $130,000.
Importantly it lowers the disincentive to take on an additional day or two of work for many families.
The Government will:
For those families with more than one child aged five and under in child care, the level of subsidy received will increase by 30 percentage points to a maximum subsidy of 95 per cent for their second and subsequent children.
This comprehensive economic plan creates jobs and secures Australia’s recovery.

New exhibition gives unique perspective on city landmarks

A new exhibition highlighting the beauty of everyday objects will also provide a snapshot in time of Newcastle’s ever-evolving history.
RACHEL MILNE: Nest is the first major solo exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery by local artist Rachel Milne.

Featuring intimate paintings and portraits set in her home and studio, as well as plein air landscapes of iconic places in Newcastle, the exhibition also includes a series of paintings completed while Rachel was the artist in residence at the former David Jones building.
Abandoned at the time, Milne’s artworks capture a unique moment in the history of the iconic former department store, which is now on the verge of permanent change as part of Iris Capital’s East End development.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition gives the community an opportunity to experience Newcastle landmarks and everyday objects from someone else’s point of view.
“It is wonderful to see Newcastle Art Gallery showcasing the work of a highly regarded local artist, whose paintings beautifully capture so many different perspectives that will be familiar to Newcastle audiences,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Whether it’s the view from the stage of the Victoria Theatre to the interior of the old David Jones building, which at one time was the heart of retail activity in Newcastle and is in the process of being reinvented by Iris Capital for future generations of residents and visitors to enjoy, Rachel’s work provides a fascinating snapshot in time as our city continues to grow and evolve.”
Rachel MILNE Construction 2020 oil on board 80.0 x 100.0cm Les Renfrew Bequest 2020 Newcastle Art Gallery collection, courtesy the artist
The English-born artist moved to Newcastle in 2013 and quickly made her mark on the local art scene as the winner of the Singleton Portraiture Prize that year. A three-time finalist in the Kilgour Prize at Newcastle Art Gallery, Milne also made the shortlist twice in the prestigious Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW and has work in the collections of Bathurst and Maitland Regional Art Galleries as well as Newcastle.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said Milne’s richly layered observational works were a wonderful example of the artistic genre of Intimisim, which captures the beauty of everyday objects and scenes.
“Milne’s observational paintings depict ordinary objects like a child’s pram, a chair from her studio or food she has prepared. Paintings of local public swimming pools depict nostalgic scenes that have remained unchanged for years,” Ms Morton said.
“The exhibition also includes recently created works of art by Milne on display for the first time. A series of paintings set in Newcastle artists’ cooperative, Creator Incubator, provide insight into a vibrant creative arts community set in a large industrial space, now re-purposed and part of Newcastle’s ever-evolving history.”
RACHEL MILNE: Nest will be on display at Newcastle Art Gallery from 15 May – 1 August, 2021. As part of the opening weekend, Rachel will take part in a talk with writer Laura Jackel from 2pm on 15 May that will explore Newcastle’s ever-evolving urban landscape and the enduring reference to beauty in the everyday in Milne’s work.

NSW STATEMENT ON THE 2021-22 FEDERAL BUDGET

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet tonight welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s 2021-22 Budget, which delivers more than $3 billion in funding for road infrastructure projects in NSW, alongside tax relief and training initiatives designed to boost the economy and help drive unemployment below pre-pandemic levels.
Mr Perrottet said the Commonwealth’s strong focus on supporting working families and creating jobs was teamed with a strong focus on helping the vulnerable and those in need.
“Josh Frydenberg has delivered a Budget which is the envy of many countries around the world, it’s clear Australia is leading the pack on the way back,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is a Budget which places people at its very heart, ranging from more childcare assistance, help for the aged care sector, medical support in the regions, $2.3 billion for mental health and suicide prevention as well as a billion dollar boost for women’s safety.”
Among funding for NSW in tonight’s Budget:

  • $3.3 billion for priority road projects including $2 billion for the Great Western Highway from Katoomba to Lithgow, $500 million for the Princes Highway, including the Jervis Bay Road Intersection and Jervis Bay to Sussex Inlet Stage 1, $240 million for the Mount Ousley Interchange and $229.4 million for the M12 Motorway.
  • $162.8 million over three years from 2021-22 to support clean-up of damage caused by the February and March 2021 floods.
  • $51.2 million for Eurobodalla Southern Storage.
  • $4.5 million in 2021-22 for a Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund to support those affected by the 2019-20 bushfires.

Mr Perrottet said the NSW Government was currently working on its own 2021-22 State Budget, which will be delivered in June.
“It is vital the Commonwealth and NSW continue to work together. We have been handed the biggest challenge in a generation, but also the opportunity of our generation,” Mr Perrottet.

Man presents to hospital with stab wounds – Edgeworth

A man is in a stable condition after presenting to hospital with several stab wounds overnight.
About 12.10am (Wednesday 12 May 2021), emergency services were called to a home on Renfrew Crescent, Edgeworth, after reports a man had been injured in an altercation.
Upon arrival, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and were notified that a 30-year-old man had presented at John Hunter Hospital suffering stab wounds to his arms and buttocks; his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Police have been told the man was confronted by three people at the home before he was assaulted and stabbed.
Detectives have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and how the man came to be injured.
Anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the nearby area between 11.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 11 May 2021) and 12.30am today, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man issued infringement for offensive conduct – Newcastle

A man has been issued an infringement notice following an investigation into an alleged spitting incident at Newcastle last week.
A man is alleged to have spat on the footpath outside a courthouse on Hunter Street, Newcastle, on Friday 7 May 2021.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District, assisted by Mt Druitt Police Area Command, commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, a 38-year-old man attended Waratah Police Station today (Tuesday 11 May 2021), where he was issued with a criminal infringement notice for offensive conduct.

Greens: Evidence-based respectful relationships education works

The Australian Greens have welcomed today’s release of the positive evaluation of Our Watch’s primary school education program, Respectful Relationships Education to Prevent Gender-Based Violence, and called on the government to fund a national roll out.
Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, Senator Larissa Waters said: 
“Spoiler alert, evidence-based respectful relationships education works – not milkshake metaphors.
“Our Watch’s pilot programs in Queensland and Victoria, delivering age appropriate, whole-of-school and evidence-based respectful relationships, have been evaluated as successful.
“To address the crisis of violence against women and girls, the federal government should fund a national rollout of Our Watch’s program. All students, no matter which school they attend should get the benefit of learning about respect, gender equality and not letting their career aspirations be limited by their gender.
“Wasting millions of public dollars on an ineffective and confusing milkshake video was shameful, when that money should be spent on programs with proven outcomes.
“The Respect@Work report recommendations, accepted by this government, called for investment in expert-designed, whole-of-school respectful relationships programs to help end the cycle of violence by addressing what lies behind it – gender stereotypes and gender inequality.
“The PM now needs follow through in next week’s budget and include $190 million to support a national roll out of Our Watch’s effective respectful relationships training program.”
Greens spokesperson for Education, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, said:
“The government has a bad track record on respectful relationships education, but funding a national rollout of Our Watch’s program would be a big step in the right direction.
“Urgent investment is required in whole-of-school programs that tackle the issues clearly and are known to work.
“School education is as much about ensuring young people become respectful members of the community as it is about learning the ‘hard’ skills and knowledge required for the modern world.”

Film series uncovers stories of Newcastle

Newcastle’s role in a 19th century art revolution that preserved important Aboriginal cultural knowledge has been highlighted in a new film.
Lycett and Wallis: Unlikely Preservers of Aboriginal Knowledge tells the story of English-born convict Joseph Lycett, who was transported to Australia for forgery in 1815 and was later commissioned by Captain James Wallis, Commandant of Newcastle, to document the landscape and burgeoning township of Coal River/Mulubinba (Newcastle).
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, City of Newcastle Director of City Wide Services Alissa Jones, filmmaker Tony Whittaker, Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton, filmmaker Chit Chat von Loopin Stab, Councillor Carol Duncan, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz and City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath.
Created in a time before cameras existed, Lycett’s paintings have become an invaluable record of traditional Aboriginal life in Newcastle as it had existed for thousands of years, depicting the rich culture and lifestyle of Australia’s first peoples with images of corroborees, hunting techniques, fishing, funerals and visions of laws being enacted.
The film examines the significance of Lycett’s work and its importance to Aboriginal people today, as well as the role Wallis played in the development of Newcastle and Lycett’s work.
It was created by Newcastle songwriter, producer and musician Chit Chat von Loopin Stab (aka Glenn Dormand) and fellow filmmaker Tony Whittaker as part of their Stories of Our Town series, which also includes films on the Star Hotel riot, BHP and the Scott Sisters.
With grants from City of Newcastle, the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund and private sources, the filmmakers are hoping to make at least 12 documentaries as part of the series.
Lycett and Wallis: Unlikely Preservers of Aboriginal Knowledge features interviews with a range of subjects including Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton and Gallery Curator Sarah Johnson, Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird and Councillor Carol Duncan, whose personal Facebook group Lost Newcastle provided the initial inspiration for the Stories of our Town series.
Three of Lycett’s paintings examined in the film form part of the Newcastle Art Gallery collection – ‘Inner View of Newcastle’ c1818, ‘Newcastle NSW looking towards Prospect Hill’ c1818 and ‘View with cattle in foreground, Hunter River’ c1818.
The film was officially launched with a special screening at Newcastle Art Gallery and is now available to view via the Stories of Our Town website.
The filmmakers also recently released a short film, The Islanders: Chats with Vera Deacon, which was created in collaboration with Newcastle Libraries and University of Newcastle Library and is a collection of stories from Vera’s early life on the islands of the Hunter River.
The writer, philanthropist and passionate historian was named a Freeman of the City in 2019 in recognition of her contribution to Newcastle’s heritage, conservation and local history.
The film was commissioned by Newcastle Libraries as a contemporary twist to traditional oral history projects and makes the most of the capabilities of the new Digital Library Storywall, where it will be available to view by the community.

MASS VACCINATION CENTRE OPENS

The mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park has opened today with thousands of people booked in to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this week.
During its first weeks of operation, the Centre will focus on delivering Pfizer vaccinations to priority groups including healthcare workers, emergency services workers as well as quarantine and border workers and their households.
Bookings are required.
Members of the general public aged 40-49 are invited to register their interest in receiving the Pfizer vaccine through NSW Health. They will be contacted when a booking is available. People aged 40-49 can register here from 5pm today: nsw.gov.au/
From Wednesday 12 May, people aged 50 and over can book their AstraZeneca jab at the mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park, if they are unable to obtain the vaccination from their GP. These bookings will be available here; covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the centre at Sydney Olympic Park would operate six days per week from 8am to 8pm.
“The mass vaccination centre will be able to administer up to 30,000 vaccines per week once it is up and running, that means around 5,000 vaccinations per day,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Centre, combined with the more than 100 NSW Health run clinics and hubs, means NSW Health can administer around 60,000 vaccines each week across the State.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said about 200 registered nurses and midwives will work at the Centre forming about two-thirds of its 300-strong workforce.
“Opening a vaccination centre of this scale at Sydney Olympic Park is a massive and unprecedented undertaking, and one I’m very proud of as Health Minister,” Mr Hazzard said.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urged everyone in NSW who can be vaccinated to do so.
“Vaccination is very effective at reducing your risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 and will also reduce the chance you will pass on the infection to your loved ones,” Dr Chant said.

BRAND NEW POLICE STATION FOR SINGLETON

The Singleton community in the Upper Hunter will benefit from a brand new police station, thanks to $12 million in funding from the NSW Government.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott joined NSW Nationals candidate for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell at Singleton Police Station today to make the announcement, and said it will be a significant boost for the region.
“The current police station in Singleton has been serving the community since 1867 and the heritage listed building is home to around 50 staff,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The new fit-for-purpose station will meet the needs of the growing Hunter Valley Police District and mean Singleton can continue to be well resourced by NSW Police as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to building a safer and stronger Upper Hunter.
“I want to thank all the officers and staff working within the Hunter Valley Police District for your service and dedication to the people of NSW and this brand new police station should better serve the deserving community of Singleton and surrounds.”
Mr Elliott said the Singleton Police Station will have the state-of-the-art resources that our modern police force needs to operate effectively.
“Police numbers in the Hunter Valley Police District have been steadily increasing, from 163 in 2019 to 181 this year, and with the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering an additional 1500 police over four years, that number is only likely to grow,” Mr Elliott said.
“A new police station for Singleton will accommodate the growing number of officers for years to come and provide a fantastic facility for current staff and the community.
“This is another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to the NSW Police Force, with 36 Police stations built or upgraded since 2011 and continued investment in police infrastructure.”
In 2020-21, the NSW Government is investing a record $287.7 million in NSW Police Force capital projects.

BUILD BEGINS ON AUSTRALIAN FIRST HOSPICE IN MANLY

Manly will soon house Australia’s first palliative care hospice for young people living with an incurable illness, with construction to commence shortly.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Member for Manly James Griffin visited the site of the former Manly Hospital today to turn the first sod on the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice.
“This is the first hospice in Australia dedicated to 15-24 year old patients living with an incurable illness, providing first class palliative care services and support during the most challenging of times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The hospice will welcome families from right across NSW, including in rural and  regional areas.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice will provide specialised care, including bereavement support and counselling.
“The Manly community has made the development of this vital hospice right here on our beautiful coast possible through their wonderful support and donations,” Mr Griffin said.
“More than $6.5 million has been raised by the community for this project. This was boosted by an $8 million investment from the NSW Government along with $5 million from the Federal Government.
“This hospice will fill a much-needed gap for young people who outgrow Manly’s renowned Bear Cottage or have been diagnosed with life-limiting conditions as a young adult.”
The Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice will have eight bedrooms for patients, breakout spaces including a media and games room, as well as two family accommodation units with two bedrooms each.
Construction of the hospice is scheduled for completion in late 2022 and is jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments, as well as generous community donations.
Health Infrastructure is working closely with the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) and expert clinicians to deliver the hospice, which will be located at the former Manly Hospital site on the North Head headland.
For further information and to support the Hospice, visit the NSLHD website.