Westmead Health and Innovation District took a major step forward today with the launch of a new project delivering over 1,000 jobs and 28,000 square metres of health, research, education and commercial space.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the $350 million development, a joint venture between Western Sydney University and Charter Hall to be known as Innovation Quarter or iQ, would house leading some of the University’s leading research institutes and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO.
“Commencement of ground works for this new complex will help strengthen Westmead Health and Innovation District as a leading global centre for health care, medical research and commercialisation, education and training,” Mr Ayres said.
“It’s another sign of confidence in the NSW economy and demonstrates more progress out west in the Central City, supporting the NSW Government’s focus on technology and innovation as key drivers of growth.”
Western Sydney University will base its MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, NICM Health Research Institute and Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) at the complex when it opens in 2021.
CSIRO will bring world-leading research staff from its e-Health and Nutrition & Health programs.
Western Sydney University Vice-President (Finance and Resources), Peter Pickering, said the Innovation Quarter at Westmead is part of the University’s ‘Western Growth’ strategy – an ambitious program that is reshaping the University’s campus network and co-creating cities and transformative educational infrastructure across western Sydney, in partnership with industry and government.
Mr Pickering said it will build upon the University’s existing footprint in Westmead to integrate first-class health and medical research into policy and practice.
“The University’s presence within the Innovation Quarter will enable researchers, industry partners and clinicians to come together and address the nation’s most pressing health challenges.
“During these challenging times, the Innovation Quarter will also make important economic contributions to the region, creating over 1,000 jobs and generating $150 million to the regional economy.”
Charter Hall Group CEO and Managing Director David Harrison said there had never been a more important time to focus on health research and innovation.
“Our project collaboration with Western Sydney University will deliver a state-of-the-art innovation centre to support the work of both the Western Sydney University and CSIRO’s medical research facilities.”
“iQ will create a truly visionary precinct that brings together the most forward-thinking research, health education and commercial sectors in the Southern Hemisphere. The project will provide an environment for some of the brightest minds in the country to innovate, create opportunities for collaboration and solve global challenges in the heart of Westmead,” Mr Harrison said.
Dr Dave Williams CSIRO Executive Director said the move to Westmead would improve collaboration opportunities to create innovative health and wellbeing solutions for the nation.
“CSIRO has a long history of partnering with health, education and research organisations to help solve Australia’s greatest challenges in health,” Dr Williams said.
“We look forward to building on this and embarking on new partnerships and innovations at Westmead.”
Images of the development can be downloaded here.
Two charged after pursuit through Hunter
Two people have been arrested following a pursuit through the Hunter region yesterday.
About 11.40am (Tuesday 1 September 2020), police were patrolling the Pacific Highway at Karuah when they saw a Mitsubishi Triton with false numberplates.
A pursuit was initiated and terminated a short time later due to the manner of driving.
The ute was again seen on Medowie Road and a further pursuit commenced. Road spikes were successfully deployed at Ferodale and the car hit a cement barrier before coming to a stop. Two people in the ute were arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
Police will further allege that couple were involved in an incident on Sunday 30 August 2020 at Bingara where a police officer was injured after he was dragged by a moving vehicle while attempting to prevent the driver from leaving.
The officer fell heavily to the ground receiving head and shoulder injuries and was taken to Warialda Hospital for treatment.
A 24-year-old woman has been charged with multiple offences,
• Police pursuit (Skye’s Law) (two counts)
• Use unregistered vehicle (two counts)
• Use weapon to prevent lawful detention
• Use vehicle displaying misleading number plates (two counts)
• Use unregistered vehicle (two counts), and
• Use uninsured motor vehicle (two counts).
She has also been charged with three outstanding warrants.
The 27-year-old man has been charged with use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.
They’ve been refused bail and are due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 2 September 2020).
Unlawful border crossings and repeat offenders among latest COVID-19 breaches
Two people were charged and three Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued yesterday in relation to various breaches of Public Health Orders across NSW in recent days.
About 9.30am yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020), officers from Operation Border Closure were conducting permit checks at a checkpoint on the Hume Highway, South Albury, when they stopped a 27-year-old male driver allegedly attempting to travel into NSW without a permit.
The man was advised to return to Victoria, but after being observed not taking the returning route, he was stopped again and directed to take the most direct route back to Victoria.
After again failing to return to Victoria, the man was stopped again and arrested.
The Western Australian man was taken to Albury Police Station and charged with fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
He is due to appear at Albury Local Court on Monday 28 September 2020.
Following the man’s release from police custody, he was escorted back across the border into Victoria.
The details of another arrest were issued yesterday, which relate to a 27-year-old woman who was charged after allegedly hiding in the back of a truck in Victoria and entering NSW without a valid permit at the weekend.
The Penalty Infringement Notices include:
A 27-year-old woman was issued two $1000 PINs in less than three hours after attempting to enter NSW without a valid permit at two different checkpoints. She was first stopped about 12.40am yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020), at a checkpoint on the Sturt Highway, Buronga, where she was denied entry as she did not have a permit. After attempting to enter NSW regardless, she was issued with a $1000 PIN and escorted back into Victoria. She was then stopped at the checkpoint on Abbotsford Road, Curlwaa, about 3am and denied entry but refused to return to Victoria. She was issued with a second $1000 PIN and escorted into Victoria.
A 28-year-old man has been issued a $1000 PIN after providing an entry permit in someone else’s name at the Wodonga Point checkpoint in Albury, just after midnight yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020). When asked by officers to provide identification, the man could not, and eventually admitted he had provided a false name and a permit belonging to someone else. He was issued a PIN for not provide/give false info – COVID-19 Border Control and was also issued additional infringements for goods in custody, stealing and being in possession of a knife.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Officers allegedly spat on, punched and kicked – Whitebridge
A man and a woman have been charged after they allegedly assaulted and spat on several officers during an incident at Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 2.10pm yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020), officers attached to the Northern Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team and Operation Utah attended a home at Whitebridge to speak with a 29-year-old-man, who was wanted on outstanding warrants.
Police located the man on the footpath and arrested him, allegedly locating a home-made baton concealed in his pants.
A short time later, a 27-year-old woman approached officers, who directed her to move on.
She refused to comply, before allegedly punching a male senior constable in the face. When a male constable came to his colleague’s aid, the woman allegedly struck that officer in the head.
The woman allegedly continued to resist arrest, spitting in the face of a second male senior constable before kicking the male constable in the legs.
Both the man and woman were eventually restrained and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with three outstanding warrants, as well as possess offensive implement, resist officer in execution of duty, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV) and contravene AVO.
He was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court today (Wednesday 2 September 2020).
The woman was charged with carry cutting implement, assault officer in execution of duty, assault officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm and resist officer in execution of duty.
She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Friday 25 September 2020.
Woman charged after allegedly hiding in truck to cross NSW/Victoria border
A woman has been charged after allegedly hiding in the back of a truck in Victoria and entering NSW without a valid permit.
Between Saturday (29 August 2020) and Sunday (30 August 2020), a woman attempted to cross the NSW/Victoria border at Albury on multiple occasions and was denied entry as she did not possess the correct permit.
About 10pm on Sunday, the woman allegedly boarded a truck and hid in the back as it crossed the border between Wodonga and Albury.
The woman then travelled to her home in Wagga Wagga.
Acting on information, officers from Riverina Police District attended a home in Ashmont and arrested a 27-year-old woman about 9am today (Tuesday 1 September 2020).
The woman was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction – COVID-19.
She was refused bail and is due to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Tuesday 1 September 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
New Report Highlights Gov Failures On PFAS
Australian Greens Senator for NSW, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has said that the latest progress report of the parliamentary PFAS Sub-committee, tabled today, has highlighted failures of the Government in adequately dealing with PFAS contamination.
Among other recommendations, the Committee recommends “that the Government prioritise assisting property owners and businesses in affected areas through compensation for financial losses associated with contamination emanating from Defence bases, including the possibility of buy-backs.”
Senator Faruqi said:
“The nation-wide damage wrought by toxic PFAS chemicals has been extensive and people have suffered for too long.
“The government has not done enough to adequately deal with PFAS contamination. Financial compensation must be provided for residents and property owners, including buy-backs.
“Communities are still concerned about the lack of consistency and a piecemeal approach to PFAS management. They have ongoing worries regarding contamination on non-Commonwealth sites.
“The government is dragging its heels on banning the use of PFAS across the country. We know the alternatives exist, they just aren’t being used.
“I want to thank and acknowledge community members and community groups across the country who have been organising on PFAS contamination and compensation issues, including in NSW. This saga has been immensely exhausting for so many,” she said.
Record Medicare Bulk-Billing Rates Through COVID-19
Record GP bulk billing rates under Medicare reached 87.5 per cent in 2019–20. This means that on average, more than 8 out of 10 visits to the GP were provided with no out-of-pocket cost.
In total, Medicare services increased to 428.3 million with total benefits reaching $24.7 billion.
To ensure Australians have access to the healthcare services they need through the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary Medicare telehealth services have been introduced and widely taken up by the community.
In the period from 13 March to 30 June 2020, there were 1.4 million COVID-19 video consultations and 16 million COVID-19 phone consultations provided by GPs, specialists and allied health professionals.
Temporary telehealth items have played a critical role in the Government’s response to COVID-19. They have allowed patients to access essential health care while minimising the risk of community transmission of the virus.
The uptake of the telehealth items was greatest for GPs, with 13.9 million GP consultations provided by phone and 504,307 by video.
For the 2019–20 financial year, temporary telehealth items represented 8.8 per cent of GP consultations and 4.1 per cent of all Medicare services.
Bulk-billing incentive payments have been temporarily doubled to support sustainable practice, while the types of services eligible for the incentive payments have been expanded.
The Morrison Government has also required telehealth services to vulnerable Australians to be bulk billed. These measures have reduced the barriers to timely health care for thousands of Australians.
Our rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic has meant better protection for patients and health care providers, and ensured continuity of access to affordable care.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to Medicare and bulk billing remains rock solid. These figures show that we are supporting the health and wellbeing of Australians more than ever before.
Taking action: $950,000 for Youth Action Projects Grants
The Youth Action Projects Grant Scheme is now open to individuals and organisations supporting activities important to young Australians.
The Australian Government understands the unprecedented impact COVID-19 and last summer’s bushfire season has had on young Australians.
Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the targeted scheme was an opportunity for individuals and organisations to apply for funding to support projects that will make a difference in the lives of young people.
“It’s a difficult time in our nation’s history and young people are feeling the repercussions of job losses, breaks in education and social isolation,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Life as we know it is not the same, but we know young Australians are keen to take part in activities that will help them and their communities thrive.”
As part of the program, grants of between $5000 and $20,000 are available for projects which respond to the social challenges facing those aged 15–24.
The Government has engaged the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) to administer the scheme.
FYA is a non-profit organisation committed and passionate about improving the outcomes and life opportunities for youth.
Projects need to be either new initiatives that recognise and respond to the hardship young people face now and will face in the future, or existing initiatives which already provide a valuable on-going service to young people, but which need further funding to continue.
Funds can be used to pay for any type of project including but not limited to staffing, equipment purchase, consumables or marketing.
“While grants will be used for projects which support young people in a variety of ways, there will be a particular focus on employment, transportation, mental health and the impacts of COVID-19 and the Australian bushfires,” Minister Colbeck said.
“I look forward to working with FYA and seeing the outcomes of the exciting projects funded by the Australian government for the benefit of young Australians everywhere.”
Successful grant recipients are expected to deliver projects over the 2020-21 financial year.
The grant round opens today, Tuesday 1 September and closes Wednesday, 7 October, 2020.
For more information and to download the application form, visit the website.
Labor calls for additional school counsellors to combat youth suicide
NSW Labor is urging the Government to fast-track additional school counsellors in NSW schools to combat the highest levels of youth suicide in 15 years.
It follows media reports that half (50) of the 100 additional school counsellors promised by the Government will not be available until next year.
Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car said: “This is is an enormously stressful time for the community. Young people are crying out for help and they shouldn’t have to wait for it.
“Schools across NSW reopened months ago but the Government hasn’t delivered the mental health services they need.”
Shadow Minister for Mental Health Tara Moriarty used questions on notice to reveal that no additional school counsellors have been placed in schools to assist students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Communities across NSW are facing the worst incidence of youth suicide in fifteen years. The Government needs to move much faster to deliver frontline mental health services to save lives” Ms Moriarty said.
Labor holds virtual rally to address modern slavery in NSW
Labor is demanding the Government urgently implement the NSW Modern Slavery Act, which remains in limbo despite being passed by Parliament more than two years ago.
Representatives from more than 100 non-government organisations, faith groups, business and community members have united online for a virtual rally organised by NSW Labor, Unions NSW and Be Slavery Free. The groups and organisations are also supporting a petition to bring the issue to a debate in the NSW Parliament.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said the failure to bring this law into force is unacceptable and cannot continue.
“The Modern Slavery Act is a significant piece of legislation that brought Parliament together. It tackled modern slavery in the supply chain here in NSW and established an Anti-Slavery Commissioner and new offences on slavery,” Ms McKay said.
“All it takes is the stroke of a pen by the Premier to proclaim this bill but two years on we are still waiting. We could have been a leader in modern slavery protection in the world, instead we’re left without a state law.
“Every day this law sits idle is a day the most vulnerable in our society are at risk. This goes against the will of the Parliament and goes against the expectations of the community.”
Secretary of Unions NSW Mark Morey said: “Many people who were already economically insecure have been made even more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NSW Liberals must pass this legislation to address exploitation and stop modern slavery in the supply chains of the goods we purchase.”
The Co-Director of Be Slavery Free Carolyn Kitto said: “We have tried to have a conversation with the Government. We have sent a letter to the Premier with 117 signatures and have had no response.
“This act is urgently needed for people in slavery. The people who are forced to harvest cotton to make our clothes; the girls forced into early marriage; the children forced to perform unspeakable acts to be downloaded on internet; people who have their organs removed and sold. These are the people this Act protects. We need urgent action.”
Modern slavery refers to a range of exploitative practices including forced labour, debt bondage and human trafficking. The NSW Modern Slavery Act requires companies with a turnover of more than $50 million to publicly report modern slavery statements, including details of the steps taken to eliminate slavery from their supply chains.