Author: admin

TOUGH NEW COVID-19 COMPLIANCE MEASURES FOR PUBS

New rules will be introduced to pubs across NSW that will limit group bookings to a maximum of 10 people and cap the number of customers inside a venue to 300 people following a concerning rise in COVID-19 cases.
Tough new compliance measures will also see dedicated Hygiene Marshalls patrol venues to keep customers safe and ensure the mandatory implementation of a COVID-Safe plan.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new measures, agreed to by the NSW Australian Hotels Association, will come into force at 12:01am Friday, 17 July.
“We are at a crucial stage of the pandemic in NSW – we want venues strictly implementing their COVID-Safe plans and customers abiding by the rules of the venue they are in,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It is critical people remember when they are at a venue they remain seated. This reduces the risk of transmission.”
Under the new measures, pubs across NSW will be required to implement the following:

  • The number of people per booking or table will be reduced from 20 people to 10;
  • A cap of 300 people in a venue at any one time;
  • Compulsory COVID-Safe registration through Service NSW;
  • A dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall in distinctive clothing must oversee social distancing, cleaning and hygiene at the venue;
    • Large hotels with a capacity of greater than 250 people are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall on duty whenever the hotel is open.
    • Smaller hotels with a capacity of less than 250 are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall employed in peak periods (lunch 12pm to 3pm and dinner 5pm to 9pm).
  • Paper sign-in will still be permitted, but hotels must create a digital record of patron names and phone numbers (excel or word) to be submitted within 24 hours;
  • Ensure all patrons provide their name and contact details accurately; and
  • Encouraged to strongly promote QR code sign-in.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said venues enforcing COVID-Safe plans is a crucial element in reducing the chance of an outbreak and keeping the community safe.
“These new measures will reduce the number of people in venues at any one time and ensure customers’ details are recorded accurately so they are immediately available to contact tracers should there be an outbreak at a venue,” Mr Hazzard said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said these new rules will be enforced with random and covert inspections and that strict penalties will apply to any venues that breach them.
“These new measures strike the right balance in protecting the health and safety of the people of NSW and ensuring venues remain operational,” Mr Dominello said.
“There will be random inspections and there will be zero tolerance for non-compliance.”
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the NSW Government had worked closely with industry to develop these new requirements which help keep the community safe.
“We all know how important it is for our venues to stay COVID-Safe – we are in constant contact with our members and will ensure they understand how vital it is they comply with these new measures.”
Any business found in breach of the public health orders will be held to account and could face a penalty of up to $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day an offence continues. On the spot fines can also be issued.
Liquor and Gaming NSW also have the power to enforce the following penalties:

  • FIRST OFFENCE: $5,500 fine or relevant penalty for breach of the Public Health Order.
  • SECOND OFFENCE: Business will be closed for one week.
  • THIRD OFFENCE (repeated and willful non-compliance): Shutdown for up to one month.

Police conduct Public Health Order compliance checks across the state in effort to stop the spread of COVID-19

The NSW Police Force is continuing to conduct Public Health Order compliance checks state-wide in an ongoing effort to protect the health and safety of the community, with approximately 300 home visits being conducted in the past 24 hours alone.
On Tuesday 7 July 2020, the NSW government introduced requirements under a Public Health Order for those returning to NSW from Victoria to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
With a significant number of checks already undertaken and more planned as part of the ongoing operation, Operation Corona Virus Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke, said the aim of the checks was to protect the people of NSW.
“Over the past few months, we have seen the overwhelming success quarantine measures have had in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in NSW,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
“In order to prevent a significant increase of cases in our state, we need to remain vigilant and ensure those returning from Victoria are self-isolating as required.
“Police will continue to do their part by enforcing all ministerial directions, but we are also appealing to people to remain patient and continue to work with us in the way they have so far throughout the pandemic.
“Our combined efforts are the best chance we have at stopping further spread,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
Police are also conducting regular foot patrols of licensed venues to ensure compliance with ministerial directions, as well as regular licensing requirements.
With several venues currently under investigation, Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke issued a timely reminder to all businesses about their responsibilities.
“Let me be clear, we are taking all breaches of ministerial directions extremely seriously. Those who disregard the safety and health of the people of NSW will be held to account,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
The maximum penalty for contravening a Public Health Order is a fine of up to $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
The standard penalty will be a fine by way of an on-the-spot Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) – $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
Information on current Public Health Orders can be found at www.health.nsw.gov.au
Anyone with information about potential breaches of ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers using the online reporting tool at 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.

Feds' funding for Parks shows jobs in green recovery but much more needed

The announcement by Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley today of funding for tourism and infrastructure at five natural attractions shows there are jobs in a green recovery and much more must be done to look after our environment, the Australian Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Any funding from the Federal Government that goes to improving and protecting our natural world is welcome. This announcement shows there are jobs and economic stimulus in a Green Recovery.
“But to really do justice to a green jobs recovery, the Morrison Government is going to need to find a lot more money and scrap its plan to weaken environmental laws.
“The return on investment will be well worth it, not just in the creation of jobs across the country but in rehabilitating bushfire devastated areas, protecting native wildlife and restoring our iconic rivers to make them swimmable again as the Greens have proposed.
“Australians want stronger environmental protections, not weaker ones which only serve the fossil fuel industry and will undermine any green recovery efforts, including today’s announcement.
“The Environment Minister is still sitting on the interim report into the 10-year review of environmental laws, handed to her 12 days ago by the independent reviewer. If Sussan Ley wants to be taken seriously then she needs to release the interim report immediately and get on with legislating to save our endangered animals and special places in nature.”

Extend Free Childcare And Provide JobKeeper For ECEC Workers: Greens

The Greens have said that returning to expensive fee-paying childcare today will harm families, disproportionately impact women and threaten the viability of early learning as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
The federal government should extend free childcare and ensure all early childhood education and care workers are eligible for JobKeeper payments.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens spokesperson for Education, said:
“It’s downright cruel and shortsighted to scrap free childcare before practically every other Covid-19 support measure.
“Reverting to expensive, fee-paying childcare now will preclude struggling families from accessing early learning and put centre viability at risk. This government is failing women who will disproportionately feel the impact of this senseless snap back.
“As Covid-19 cases continue to rise, Dan Tehan should extend free childcare and ensure JobKeeper eligibility for all ECEC workers.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that the first sector to have its support withdrawn is early learning, and the first workers to lose JobKeeper are ECEC staff – the vast majority of whom are women. They have been treated very poorly by this government.
“This is a real missed opportunity to reimagine early learning as a universal, essential service. Instead, the Liberals are more interested in deepening the crisis via austerity,” she said.
Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for Women, said:
“The Morrison government has a 1950s attitude to women and its policies will condemn more women to the kitchen.
“Numerous reports show that women are suffering the worst economic impacts from coronavirus, losing more jobs or hours of work than men, and performing a much higher care load.
“Free childcare helped ease the financial burden families face and ensured women had more ability to do paid work.
“Returning to expensive childcare, and axing JobKeeper early for childcare workers, will force many women to reduce their work hours to juggle childcare.
“You want economic stimulus, then help women return to the workplace by making childcare permanently free.”

Backroom Labor boys doing their coal donors’ bidding

The Labor party backroom boys are pressuring Queensland’s Labor Premier to approve stage 3 of the New Acland coal mine, showing fossil fuel donors still call the shots, say the Australian Greens.
“Proving how powerful the coal mining lobby and their donations are on federal Labor, there’s now three federal Labor party MPs pushing the Premier to approve the Acland coal mine despite the mine’s approval currently being before the High Court,” said Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Senate Leader and Mining and Resources spokesperson.
“Anthony Albanese should tell his backroom boys to leave the Premier alone and wait for the High Court to do its job.
“It’s ludicrous that any political party would back more bushfire turbo-charging coal mines after the summer we faced, and as the climate crisis intensifies.
“It’s about time Labor listened to the climate science and the community, not its corporate fossil fuel donors.”
Michael Berkman, Queensland Greens MP for Maiwar and one-time lawyer for the farmers opposing the mine said that after 15 years of court cases it’s time for the Premier to listen to farmers and residents and refuse approval for New Acland Stage 3.
“The New Acland Coal Mine is vehemently opposed by local farmers, who are terrified about the impacts on water, prime farmland and their health.
“Queenslanders are sick of decisions being made in the best interests of donors, rather than the community.
“While Labor’s fighting everyday people so their coal donors can make a profit, the Greens will keep fighting for real, well-paid, sustainable jobs in tourism, education, social housing construction and publicly owned renewable energy,” concluded Mr Berkman.

Crown of Thorns funding is bandaid solution while climate crisis is ignored

The Greens welcome any improvements to deal with Crown of Thorns starfish, but it is a bandaid solution while the big threats to the Reef – climate change and water quality – continue to be ignored.
“Funding COTs while ignoring climate and water quality is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic,” said Queensland Senator and Greens Leader in the Senate, Larissa Waters.
“The Great Barrier Reef has faced three of the worst coral bleaching episodes in its long history in the last five years, because of coal-driven climate change.
“While extra funding to control Crown of Thorns starfish is welcome, the Institute for Marine Science has previously pointed out that action on Crown of Thorns will only be successful if climatic conditions are stabilised to stem bleaching and coral damage from cyclones.
“Yet thanks to the regular donations and job offers by the coal and fossil fuel industry to both sides of politics, the climate crisis continues unabated, and the Reef’s death warrant is being written.
“The 60,000 people who rely on a healthy Reef, and the World Heritage status of this biodiversity icon, demands so much better from the donation-hooked large political parties,” said Australian Greens Senate Leader Larissa Waters.

Second $750 Economic Support Payment Is On The Way

Australians on lower incomes are set to receive further assistance from today as the Morrison Government delivers the second economic support payment.
A $750 payment will be made to approximately five million Australians at a cost of $3.8 billion. It will go to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.
This payment is the second of two $750 economic support payments provided by the Morrison Government to help lower income Australians manage the financial impact of the Coronavirus.
The first economic support payment was delivered in March and April this year.
The Treasurer said “the Morrison Government is helping to keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs with $259 billion or 13.3 per cent of GDP in total economic support.”
“The second $750 economic support payment will inject $3.8 billion into the economy and provide an economic lifeline to millions of Australians at a time when they need it most.”
“The Morrison Government will continue to do all that is necessary to ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side.”
Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston, said the second economic support payment will be delivered progressively throughout July.
“Approximately five million lower-income Australians will receive the second $750 Economic Support Payment this month,” Minister Ruston said.
“This payment is providing additional support to eligible pensioners, families, veterans and concession card holders, who do not get the fortnightly Coronavirus Supplement as part of their current payment.”
Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert, said “if you are living in Australia and getting an eligible payment or concession card on 10 July 2020, you will get this payment automatically.”
“There is no need to do anything to get the second Economic Support Payment. If eligible, people will see the $750 payment arrive in their bank account between 15 July 2020 and the end of July 2020.”
Combined, the first and second Economic Support Payments are expected to deliver over $9.4 billion in additional assistance to Australian households.
More information on support being provided by the Australian Government during the coronavirus pandemic can be found at www.australia.gov.au.

Weather warning for Newcastle and Hunter

City of Newcastle has implemented safety precautions ahead of an east coast low forecast to build today and tomorrow.
The low-pressure system is expected to linger off the coast Tuesday and Wednesday with potential for heavy rain, strong winds and large waves which will pose risks along Newcastle’s coastline.
Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for swimming, surfing and rock fishing for all beaches and both ocean baths starting Tuesday until Friday.
City of Newcastle will prepare and monitor its coastal facilities and assets along the Newcastle coastline including areas in Stockton which may be impacted by coastal erosion.
Beach accessways in Stockton will be closed and current traffic controls in place at Barrie Crescent and Mitchell Street will be reinforced. Road closures at Barrie Crescent, Mitchell Street, Stone Street Corner and Griffiths Road may be implemented depending on weather conditions.
The City of Newcastle asks the community to follow all safety warnings, to abide by all road closures and to drive safely in the forecast extreme weather conditions.
Coastal erosion can change beach conditions dramatically and quickly. This can lead to sand cliff collapses without warning.
To stay up to date on the weather warnings, please follow the Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au, and for emergencies, the State Emergency Service at www.ses.nsw.gov.au  or phone 13 25 00.

NSW TO CHARGE RETURNED INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS FOR HOTEL QUARANTINE

The NSW Government will begin to charge returning international travellers for their hotel quarantine accommodation from 12:01am Saturday, 18 July.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government’s decision to introduce mandatory hotel quarantine for returning overseas travellers had been instrumental in reducing the spread of COVID-19 not only in NSW, but also across Australia.
“NSW is the gateway to Australia, with more than 35,000 Australians citizens and permanent residents returning from overseas processed through our hotel quarantine system since 29 March 2020,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW taxpayers have footed much of the bill so far, with more than $65 million spent on quarantine accommodation to house international travellers returning to Australia.
“Australian residents have been given plenty of time to return home – and we feel it is only fair that they cover some of the costs of their hotel accommodation.”
The Minister responsible for hotel quarantine in NSW Stuart Ayres said the state’s robust hotel quarantine system had been an effective tool at reducing the spread of COVID-19.
“Over the past few weeks, the majority of new COVID-19 cases in NSW have come from overseas travellers in hotel quarantine,” Mr Ayres said.
“Housing large numbers of international travellers returning to Australia posed a major logistical challenge, however it’s one that has been successfully managed.
“NSW Police, NSW Health officials and the accommodation industry will continue to work together to provide the nation’s leading hotel quarantine system.”
Fees and payment

  • Travellers will be charged $3,000 for one adult, additional occupants can be added as follows:
    • Additional adults: $1000 each
    • Additional children: $500 each
    • Child under 3: no additional cost
  • Eg. Family of 2 adults and 2 children over the age of 3 would pay $5000.
  • Eg. Family of 2 adults and 4 children over the age of 3 would pay $6000.
  • The hotel quarantine fee includes accommodation and daily meals.
  • At the end of quarantine, travellers will receive an invoice to pay within 30 days.
  • Hardship arrangements will be available.
  • Travellers who purchased their flights before 11:59pm 12 July AEST will be excluded from quarantine charges. Conditions apply and evidence will need to be supplied. These travellers will still be required to quarantine in government arranged accommodation.
  • The NSW Government will continue to fund security, transport and logistics.

No additional application will be required, all international travellers will automatically be directed into hotel quarantine per the current process.

COVID-19: $15.6M BOOST TO LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Domestic violence victim-survivors, Aboriginal Australians and people who’ve lost their jobs and homes as a result of COVID-19 will be among those to benefit from a Commonwealth funding boost of more than $15.6 million for NSW’s legal assistance sector.
Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said $13.26 million of the funding would support frontline legal services helping disadvantaged people manage the ‘new normal’ of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the face of an unprecedented health crisis, our State’s frontline services have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This includes our tireless healthcare care workers, our police and emergency services and those who provide free legal assistance,” Mr Speakman said.
“As people face job losses, tenancy issues, financial insecurity and, horrifically, the increasing risk of violence behind closed doors, there are more people than ever contacting Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres and the Aboriginal Legal Service in search of legal support.
“This investment will help meet this increase in need, and ensure vulnerable members of our community know their rights and get the advice they need to help overcome hardships.”
The NSW Government will direct more than 40 per cent of the Commonwealth investment towards frontline services helping people experiencing domestic and family violence.
“We have heard horrific stories from victims and advocates about domestic violence perpetrated while victims have been isolated alongside their abusers due to COVID-19,” Mr Speakman said.
“In the last 10 weeks alone, seven people have been tragically killed in domestic and family violence incidents across NSW.
“We all have a part to play in tackling this epidemic. This funding will help victim-survivors get the advice they need to ensure perpetrators are held to account, support them in escaping violent households and ultimately help us save lives.”
The funding package will also enable the legal assistance sector to increase its ICT capabilities to deliver more services remotely and to reach more people across NSW. A total of $2.35 million  has been allocated to help legal assistance services transition to greater virtual service delivery.
The COVID-19 Project Agreement is part of the Commonwealth Government’s $63.3 million commitment to support legal assistance services respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Today’s funding allocation to the NSW legal assistance sector supports frontline services and ICT capabilities as follows:
Legal Aid NSW – $5.24 million to boost staff and respond to increases in demand for its civil and family law, domestic and family violence and child protection services, and more than $1.26 million to support ICT enhancements.
Community Legal Centres (CLCs) – $4.34 million to increase frontline service delivery capacity across the CLC sector, and more than $1.09 million to support ICT enhancements in the CLC sector.
Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) – $3.68 million to bolster the capacity of the ALS to deliver services including family and criminal law and child protection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW. ALS will also receive ICT funding directly from the Commonwealth Government.