Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe shares the disappointment of Aboriginal communities and peak bodies of the lack of funding for First Nations in the 2020-21 Budget, in particular the lack of funding to achieve Closing the Gap strategy.
“I’ve been in the senate for one day and this Budget has been a clear example of how this government treats the First People of this country,” said Senator Thorpe, Greens First Nations spokesperson.
“Not even two months ago the Morrison government recalibrated all of the Closing The Gap targets and they have failed again, they have no intention of Closing the Gap, thats been blatantly clear in this budget.
On July 30 this year the Morrison government told the country it had been working with Aboriginal community leaders on developing a refreshed Closing the Gap strategy, this is all talk and no action.
At the time a $46.5 million commitment was made over four years to community-controlled organisations to “build their capacity and business models”, however no additional funding to Aboriginal communities has been allocated in the 2020-21 Budget.
And the lack of new funding is a further insult when $52 million has been given to the gas industry alone.
“This Budget shows that it’s business as usual, more money to desecrate our land and water, and destroy the climate. Meanwhile Aboriginal people are given the trinkets of the budget,” Senator Thorpe said.
“All I see in this Budget is government mates being looked after, rich getting richer and poor getting poorer and no guarantee for grassroots people who need it most.
“Deals with non-Aboriginal corporates and infrastructure projects with no guarantee of jobs or business opportunities for Aboriginal people are not going to fix things. This is a Budget for the millionaires, not the millions of unemployed and struggling people in this country.”
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An Anti-Education Budget
Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi spokesperson has said that from early learning through to university and vocational training, the 2020-21 budget fails public education.
Senator Faruqi said:
“There’s nothing new in the budget for early childhood education. The government kept the sector on life support at the start of Covid-19, but early childhood education and care has been completely neglected now. Make early learning fee-free and everyone benefits.
“The public-private school funding gap remains disgusting. Private schools will receive $19 billion more than public schools over the next four years. The gap is growing, too. It’s time for the government to rip up the private school special deals and properly fund our public schools.
“Vocational education continues to be neglected and cut over the medium term. Well-funded and fee-free public TAFE, not privatisation and a mishmash of microcredentials, is the answer to giving everybody the opportunity to study, upskill and retrain throughout life.
“Funding a few short courses instead of making generational investment in post-school education is a naked attempt by the Liberals to save money and throw their for-profit education provider mates a bone.
“Let’s be clear about the supposed ‘new money’ for university research in the budget. It will barely cover the university funding cuts the government is ramming through right now, and won’t come near the loss from international students and projects on hold.
“We need generational new investment in research to aid our recovery, JobKeeper for universities to retain researchers who have lost their jobs, and free university for all to develop new talent,” she said.
Housing And Homelessness Funding Left Out In The Cold
Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said the 2020-21 budget delivers nothing for social housing while cutting funding for homelessness services. Millions will be let down and thrust into very difficult circumstances by the Liberals’ failure to commit to funding basic services.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This budget is an abject failure for social housing. During Covid-19, there has almost been a political consensus that strong investment in social housing would be needed to build homes and create jobs. But the Liberals have left many out in the cold.
“With Covid-19 government support being cut back and more Australians at risk of homelessness while we remain stuck in recession, we urgently need more social housing to ensure everyone has a roof over their head.
“The government has cut funding for homelessness. More than $40 million will be cut from National Housing and Homelessness Agreement funding in 2021, putting services and their clients in the lurch.
“This inhuman budget has billions for corporations, but cuts for people experiencing or at risk of being homeless.
“It’s actually quite unbelievable that the Liberals would neglect essential housing services at this time. They had no problem finding almost $700 million for expensive renovation handouts through the HomeBuilder program,” she said.
Newcastle Libraries have more for members: including an extended fee free period
As part of the City’s response to COVID-19 overdue fines were suspended for an initial 6 months. However our community is continuing to face challenges so we’ve extended the fee free period to the middle of next year.
Since the pandemic we’ve had more than 1,300 new library members and we’re constantly looking at ways we can continue to provide them with more. More access, more services, and more ways to connect.
Extending our fines free period is another way we can offer more to all Library members. Plus we hope it will encourage new people to join and discover all their local library has on offer.
Membership is free and open to anyone who lives, works or regularly travels in the Newcastle region. Find out more about becoming a member here or contact the Library team on 4974 5300
Seed library harvests new community partnership
Newcastle Libraries will harvest the flourishing momentum for home vegetable gardens with the launch of the City’s first free Seed Library today.
One of the unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a national surge in the number of people growing their own fresh herbs and vegetables at home.
Newcastle Libraries will help cultivate this trend further by offering a variety of free seeds that residents can ‘borrow’ from the library to plant in their own gardens.
Residents will be encouraged to share in the fruits of each other’s labour by returning seeds from their ensuing harvest to the library in order to help re-stock and expand the collection.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the Newcastle Seed Library was an innovative community partnership project that would continue to flourish and grow as more people became involved.
“Gardening is a fantastic pastime with many benefits for your physical and mental health and wellbeing,” Cr Clausen said.
“Growing your own vegetables is also a fantastic way to teach children about the life cycle of plants, while learning new seed-saving skills yourself. The best thing is you don’t need a huge amount of space to get started, with many of the plants able to be grown in pots.
“City of Newcastle already has for years been collaborating with residents to successfully establish community gardens throughout the local government area. The Seed Library initiative takes that support one step further by offering free, easy to grow seeds that locals can take and plant in their own gardens.”
The Newcastle Seed Library will start with certified organic varieties including basil, tomato, zucchini, pumpkin and bush bean.
Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said residents were encouraged to stay involved beyond their initial library ‘loan’ by returning their own seeds to share with the community.
“Our motto is ‘borrow and grow, harvest and share’. Newcastle Libraries members are invited to take home the free seeds for their garden, grow and return the same variety after harvest, and add other varieties of seeds to the library too,” Ms Gately said.
“Sharing seeds through the Newcastle Seed Library will help preserve rare, tasty and historical varieties for gardeners in our community, while the return of successful seeds will allow us to develop a collection adapted to local conditions.”
The Seed Library is being piloted at Wallsend Library from 6 October, with additional branches to potentially be added depending on demand.
Locals will be encouraged to subscribe to the Newcastle Seed Library newsletter for free seed saving tips, while tutorials on the Newcastle Libraries website and regular free seed saving workshops will help them build skills and confidence to grow from seed.
For more information visit the Newcastle Seed Library website.
NSW LIBERALS: 2020-21 FEDERAL BUDGET
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet tonight welcomed the Federal Government’s job-creating budget which provides significant tax relief for hard working Australians, supports businesses, and boosts investment in key infrastructure projects across NSW.
Mr Perrottet commended federal counterpart Josh Frydenberg and Prime Minister Scott Morrison for delivering a budget which provides “support and hope” for Australians in the midst of the most challenging economic environment in a generation.
“This is a budget which will create thousands of new jobs, deliver vital infrastructure projects for the people of NSW, and help stimulate the economic recovery through Government spending and tax cuts,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Businesses doing it tough have been thrown a lifeline with the ability for them to write-off the full value of eligible assets, and offset losses incurred out to June 2022, providing support when it is needed most.”
Mr Perrottet said the Commonwealth’s $2.7 billion investment in NSW infrastructure projects would help ensure a strong pipeline of construction projects and continue to create jobs for years to come, while the JobMaker program will support businesses to keep more Australians working.
The Federal budget also laid bare the true cost of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Australian economy with a forecast national hit of $21.2 billion hit to GST over the forward estimates to 2023-24 since the Federal Government’s update last December. This equates to a potential loss to NSW of $6.2 billion over this period.
“The nation’s two biggest economies, NSW and Victoria, have been hard hit by the pandemic and the resultant drop in GST revenue is something we will overcome as we chart a course of recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“When it comes to the economic cost of COVID-19 it impacts us all and it has never been more important to work with the Commonwealth to create as many jobs as possible and chart a course for a strong recovery in the years ahead.”
The NSW State Budget will be delivered on November 17.
SCHOLARSHIPS TO UPSKILL EVENT MANAGERS IN REGIONAL NSW
The NSW Government will fund 12 Diploma of Event Management scholarships to help upskill and create more job opportunities for those living in regional communities across the state.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the initiative is part of the NSW Government’s $6 million Regional Conferencing Strategy and Action Plan, which includes a partnership with Meetings & Events Australia (MEA).
“The business events sector presents a major opportunity for the visitor economy of regional NSW, particularly as we steer our path to recovery,” Mr Ayres said.
“We know that the best way forward is to help to create more jobs and these scholarships will do exactly that – giving people the tools and extra support needed to kick-start their careers in the field of event management.
“I congratulate the 12 scholarship recipients who are already making valuable contributions to their local communities and wish them every success as they begin their diploma studies and continue their journeys in the events sector.”
MEA Chief Executive Officer Robyn Johnson said she was looking forward to welcoming the third intake of regional students at a time when creating skills is key to enhancing career opportunities.
“In the past year, we have seen a number of former scholarship students graduate with their MEA Diploma of Event Management with the skills gained from undertaking the course adding great value to their regions, which is a testament to this wonderful program,” Ms Johnson said.
The 12 recipients were selected by a panel, which included representatives from the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, MEA and the six Destination Networks.
BUDGET SUPPORT FOR NEWCASTLE FALLS SHORT
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has slammed the Federal Budget, saying it fails to deliver the investment that Newcastle needs now to weather the economic storms ahead.
“It’s deeply disappointing not to see any support for new projects like the University of Newcastle’s STEMM building or the Port of Newcastle’s Deepwater Terminal.
“Instead of funding these priority projects, Mr Morrison chose to bail out his Liberal State Government friends from having to fulfil their promise to fully fund the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.
“While I welcome funding for the final stage of the Inner City Bypass, I want to see a guarantee that the funds the State Government promised Novocastrians still end up in Newcastle.”
Ms Claydon also welcomed the cash payments for income support recipients, but said they wouldn’t compensate for the Government’s cuts to JobKeeper and JobSeeker.
“The Morrison Government’s decision to slash JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments is ripping close to $25 million out of Newcastle each and every fortnight. A single one-off payment to income support recipients won’t come close to filling this massive hole,” Ms Claydon said.
“While the tax cuts will see the average worker benefit from an extra $50 a fortnight, millions on JobKeeper have seen their income slashed by $300 a fortnight.”
Ms Claydon said she was also disappointed with the lack of support for highly-impacted industries.
“There’s precious little targeted support in this Budget for the hardest hit industries and those that the Morrison Government deliberately excluded from JobKeeper.
“The arts, local government, universities, aviation, tourism and casual workers have all been left to fend for themselves through the deepest recession we’ve seen in almost a century and this budget offers little relief.”
Ms Claydon said it was disappointing to see the Government turn its back on tried and tested stimulus methods, despite blowing debt out to one trillion dollars.
“There wasn’t an extra dollar in the Budget for childcare, for renewable energy, or for social housing – despite the fact that we know that these areas deliver the greatest bang for buck when it comes to economic stimulus and sustained community benefit,” Ms Claydon said.
“Worse, the Budget locks in the Morrison Government’s plans to rip $1 billion from universities at a time when they’re already on their knees. Universities should be central to driving our economic recovery, but this Government seems intent on delivering the fatal blow.
“The Government’s belated commitment to new apprenticeships rings especially hollow when you consider their failure to deliver on their earlier promise for an extra 300,000 apprentices and traineeship places. Why should we believe them now?”
“It’s deeply disappointing not to see any support for new projects like the University of Newcastle’s STEMM building or the Port of Newcastle’s Deepwater Terminal.
“Instead of funding these priority projects, Mr Morrison chose to bail out his Liberal State Government friends from having to fulfil their promise to fully fund the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.
“While I welcome funding for the final stage of the Inner City Bypass, I want to see a guarantee that the funds the State Government promised Novocastrians still end up in Newcastle.”
Ms Claydon also welcomed the cash payments for income support recipients, but said they wouldn’t compensate for the Government’s cuts to JobKeeper and JobSeeker.
“The Morrison Government’s decision to slash JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments is ripping close to $25 million out of Newcastle each and every fortnight. A single one-off payment to income support recipients won’t come close to filling this massive hole,” Ms Claydon said.
“While the tax cuts will see the average worker benefit from an extra $50 a fortnight, millions on JobKeeper have seen their income slashed by $300 a fortnight.”
Ms Claydon said she was also disappointed with the lack of support for highly-impacted industries.
“There’s precious little targeted support in this Budget for the hardest hit industries and those that the Morrison Government deliberately excluded from JobKeeper.
“The arts, local government, universities, aviation, tourism and casual workers have all been left to fend for themselves through the deepest recession we’ve seen in almost a century and this budget offers little relief.”
Ms Claydon said it was disappointing to see the Government turn its back on tried and tested stimulus methods, despite blowing debt out to one trillion dollars.
“There wasn’t an extra dollar in the Budget for childcare, for renewable energy, or for social housing – despite the fact that we know that these areas deliver the greatest bang for buck when it comes to economic stimulus and sustained community benefit,” Ms Claydon said.
“Worse, the Budget locks in the Morrison Government’s plans to rip $1 billion from universities at a time when they’re already on their knees. Universities should be central to driving our economic recovery, but this Government seems intent on delivering the fatal blow.
“The Government’s belated commitment to new apprenticeships rings especially hollow when you consider their failure to deliver on their earlier promise for an extra 300,000 apprentices and traineeship places. Why should we believe them now?”
Man to face court over alleged stabbing – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged after allegedly stabbing another man in the Lake Macquarie region yesterday.
About 1.45pm (Tuesday 6 October 2020), emergency services were called to a home on Earswick Crescent, Buttaba, following reports that a man had been seriously injured during a fight.
Police were told that a 27-year-old man attended the address and allegedly punched a 47-year-old man multiple times before stabbing him in the armpit and leaving the scene.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, who treated the older man for his injuries. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital for surgery.
A short time later, police arrested the 27-year-old on Wyee Road, Doyalson.
He was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with reckless wounding (DV) and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).
The Wyee man was refused bail to appear in Toronto Local Court today (Wednesday 7 October 2020).
The two men are known to each other.
Woman charged over alleged sexual assault of two teenage boys near Maitland
A woman will appear in court today charged over the alleged sexual assault of two teenage boys near Maitland.
In September this year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of two boys by a woman who was known to them.
Following extensive inquiries, a 29-year-old woman was arrested at a home near Maitland just after 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 October 2020).
She was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with intentionally sexually touch child (between 10 and 16 years), two counts of have sexual intercourse with child (between 14 and 16 years), two counts of have sexual intercourse with child (between 10 and 14 years), two counts of common assault and self-administer/attempt self-administer prohibited drug.
Police will allege in court that the woman sexually assaulted two teenage boys at a home near Maitland between August and September this year.
The woman will appear at Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 7 October 2020).
Investigations are continuing.