Two people will appear in court today charged after prohibited firearms and drugs were seized during a vehicle stop in the state’s Hunter region.
About 2.15am yesterday (Thursday 5 March 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a holden viva sedan, believed to be unregistered, while patrolling on Louth Park Road, Louth Park.
After speaking with the driver, a 30-year-old man, officers conducted a search of the vehice.
During the search, officers located two pistols, a loaded rifle, a loaded shotgun, methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
The driver and a passenger, a 23-year-old woman, were both arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station.
The man was charged with possess unauthorised firearm, two counts of possess shortened firearm, possess three unregistered firearms, supply prohibited drug, possess ammunition without licence or permit, drive whilst suspended, drive unregistered and possess prescribed restricted substance.
The woman was charged with possess unauthorised pistol and possess ammunition without licence or permit.
Both were refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today (Friday 6 March 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Attorney-General should come clean on whether Commonwealth Integrity Commission would cover Sports Rorts
Attorney-General Christian Porter continues to avoid a clear answer on whether his long overdue proposal for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission would have enough teeth to cover the rorts scandals.
“Based on the Attorney’s comments to date, it seems like sports rorts would not have been covered, which shows how weak and ineffective it is likely to be – if it’s ever in fact established”, said Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on democracy, Senator Larissa Waters.
Mr Porter also misled listeners this morning on Radio National about whether other states’ anti-corruption bodies had broad powers to investigate corruption that was not a criminal offence.
“The Attorney-General is designing an integrity commission with no teeth and trying to pass that off as normal. But in Senate Estimates today, I pointed out that six of the eight State or Territory integrity bodies have much broader powers to investigate the type of conduct we’ve seen with sport rorts.
“It’s misleading for Minister Porter to make out that his toothless version is the norm.
“I’ve asked the Department to advise the Minister that his comments were incorrect and will pursue that this afternoon.
“The Attorney-General needs to come clean and admit his Integrity Commission is too weak to address the key corruption scandals currently facing the government, or he has to admit that the conduct of the Prime Minister and former Minister Bridget McKenzie amount to an offence that warrants investigation.
“We could have a strong corruption watchdog legislated by Easter if the government brought on a vote in the House for the Greens’ National Integrity Commission.
“The Greens will keep this firmly on our agenda until we have an independent body established with the strength and resources to stop the scandals and restore the public’s trust,” she said.
Lack of sick leave a coronavirus ‘ticking time bomb’, stimulus payments needed: Greens
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP and Greens Community Services spokesperson Rachel Siewert have called on the government to extend the Disaster Recovery Allowance to those affected by the coronavirus, especially those without sick leave.
The Greens have also called for any government stimulus to be targeted to support low-income Australians, support coronavirus resilience and be a more effective response to the threat of recession.
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP said:
“The coronavirus has Australia’s economy running a high fever, and whenever our economy falters, people on low incomes always get hit the hardest.
“There are millions of workers without sick leave and unless the government financially supports those affected by coronavirus, they may be forced to come to work to earn money, which in turn could speed up the spread of the disease.
“People without sick leave should know that if they do what the government or the doctor says, they’ll be looked after financially.
“The government also need to be looking at a GFC-style payment to all Australians on low-incomes. This is the best way to build resilience in the community as the coronavirus spreads and will give the best bang for the buck in fighting recession, because the money will get spent on essentials. The government should also be raising Newstart by at least $95 in the May Budget.”
Australian Greens Community Services Spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert said:
“It’s people who are on the lowest incomes who are going to be hit the hardest by this virus, and lifting Newstart will not only put money in the pockets of those who are trying to survive, but it will significantly stimulate our economy.”
“Government needs to be making sure it has a hotline in place with Centrelink to ensure anyone who is in isolation can ring, register for these emergency payments, and ensure that if they can’t meet their mutual obligations that they won’t be penalised.”
Newcastle Ocean Baths closure notice
Newcastle Ocean Baths will be closed for the rest of this week with challenging surf conditions and large tides making it unsafe for our staff to access the water channel between the baths and the ocean.
There is currently a large amount of sediment which washed-up from last Wednesday’s large storm event, which means the baths cannot be refilled nor pumps operate effectively.
With current forecasts not predicting favourable conditions until early next week, the baths will remain closed until it is safe for the work to be completed.
Merewether Ocean Baths will not be cleaned Thursday 5 March to allow people to use the pool in lieu of Newcastle’s closure. Signs have been erected at Newcastle Ocean Baths advising of its closure and lifeguards will also remain on duty to supervise the site and advise the community.
MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN FEE RELIEF FOR BUSHFIRE AFFECTED FISHERS
The NSW Government will provide more than $1 million in relief to support bushfire affected commercial fishing businesses and charter boat operators, with Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announcing a major fee waiver today.
Mr Barilaro said the bushfires had taken a severe toll on the State’s primary industries, and NSW commercial fishers were no exception.
“Our communities in Regional NSW have copped enough with devastating bushfires and the ongoing drought.”
“Commercial fishing businesses employ thousands of local residents and it is vital we keep the local economy ticking and give them a hand up during the recovery phase.”
“The recent bushfires have not only hindered access to fishing grounds due to area and road closures, there have also been limitations on fishers’ ability to get products to wholesalers, markets and cooperatives,” Mr Barilaro said.
Mr Marshall said that under this waiver, fishing business owners will not have to pay the second instalment of management charges that would have otherwise been due on 28 February 2020.
“Almost 1,200 businesses will receive a fee waiver, providing essential financial relief for those experiencing the impacts of bushfires.
“Our fishing businesses play a vital role in the economic health of coastal communities throughout NSW and this is one way the government can support the industry during such a difficult time.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Fisher’s Association Tricia Beatty said the fee waiver was welcome relief for many fishers who have been through a tough time.
“Our industry have been struggling under the pressure of the ongoing drought and the more recent impacts of fires, floods and now the coronavirus,” Ms Beatty said.
“We welcome the NSW Government’s announcement to support our industry through a fee relief to reduce the burdens we face.”
Fishers who have already paid the management charges due for that instalment will receive a credit on their account with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Commercial fishing business owners or charter boat owners with questions regarding fee relief are encouraged to contact DPI on 1300 720 662.
BEST IN CLASS FOR NSW STUDENTS
A team of the state’s best teachers will roll out to targeted high schools to lift performance using proven and successful teaching methods.
The new ‘Best in Class’ Teaching Unit is made up of handpicked educators, chosen for being leaders and teaching experts in their respective fields.
They’ll share their classrooms skills directly with those teachers and students who need it most, while also building a new teaching package to build on existing ‘best practice’ research for NSW Schools.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell joined students to announce the teaching program.
“We’re investing millions of dollars in school infrastructure across the NSW and we are also committed to supporting students in the classroom,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The teachers selected to deliver the program stand out, and their results speak for themselves. We want to replicate these great teaching methods, and share them across all the state’s classrooms.”
HSC students will be the first to benefit from the new approach – with the Best in Class Unit beginning the job this week.
HSC results are already monitored closely as students are completing the last year of high school. Comparing these results will provide useful data to monitor the impact ‘Best in Class’ is having on school performance.
Ms Mitchell said Best in Class is a continuation of the NSW Government’s commitment to building excellence in the teaching profession.
“The Best in Class unit will effect real change – and will lift standards across the state,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We know that the biggest positive impact on students learning is the teacher standing in front of them.
“NSW has the highest entry standards for students wanting to become teachers, and now we are using very best teachers to grow the entire profession from the inside out.
“This is an exciting time for education in NSW, ‘best in class’ will allow us to help teachers deliver lessons and improved curriculum to the best of their abilities.”
MORRISON GOVERNMENT DUMPS AGED CARE PRIVATISATION PLAN
The Morrison Government has dumped the tender that would start the privatisation of aged care assessment in Australia after significant pressure from the states and in Parliament.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who tabled a motion against the privatisation plan in Parliament last week, said she had met with local ACAT representatives in Newcastle who warned of the risks.
“Aged-care assessment teams (ACAT) staff are the first interaction that older Australians have with the aged-care system and a critical first step in getting a home care package or moving into residential aged care,” Ms Claydon said.
“These are important roles which are filled by qualified people who know what they’re doing. No private provider would be capable of offering the breadth of skills to assess the complex needs of hundreds of thousands of older Australians.”
Ms Claydon said privatisation would have only added to the problems in aged care.
“This backdown is a win for older Australians, their loved ones and aged care workers,” Ms Claydon said.
“If this service was sold off to the highest bidder, there would be a very real risk that the more expensive parts of the service would be shut down or indeed pushed back onto government.”
Ms Claydon said she had also been ‘gravely concerned’ about potential conflicts of interest.
“When the profit motive conflicts with service standards or the need to save public money, as they inevitably would, how could we be sure that older Australians’ interests and responsible use of public money would prevail?
“I was particularly worried that the companies that run the nursing homes could have secured the contracts to conduct these assessments. That’s like handing out licences to print publicly funded money.”
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who tabled a motion against the privatisation plan in Parliament last week, said she had met with local ACAT representatives in Newcastle who warned of the risks.
“Aged-care assessment teams (ACAT) staff are the first interaction that older Australians have with the aged-care system and a critical first step in getting a home care package or moving into residential aged care,” Ms Claydon said.
“These are important roles which are filled by qualified people who know what they’re doing. No private provider would be capable of offering the breadth of skills to assess the complex needs of hundreds of thousands of older Australians.”
Ms Claydon said privatisation would have only added to the problems in aged care.
“This backdown is a win for older Australians, their loved ones and aged care workers,” Ms Claydon said.
“If this service was sold off to the highest bidder, there would be a very real risk that the more expensive parts of the service would be shut down or indeed pushed back onto government.”
Ms Claydon said she had also been ‘gravely concerned’ about potential conflicts of interest.
“When the profit motive conflicts with service standards or the need to save public money, as they inevitably would, how could we be sure that older Australians’ interests and responsible use of public money would prevail?
“I was particularly worried that the companies that run the nursing homes could have secured the contracts to conduct these assessments. That’s like handing out licences to print publicly funded money.”
NEWCASTLE APPRENTICE NUMBERS PLUMMET
New local data has revealed that apprentice and trainee numbers in Newcastle are appallingly low.
We now have 1,165 fewer apprentices and trainees in Newcastle than we did when the Liberals came to power. That means we have lost almost a third of the 3,500 apprentices we had in 2013.
This leaves Newcastle, like the rest of the country, desperately short of critical trades that are vital to the healthy functioning of our regional economy.
The Morrison government has robbed Australians of employment opportunities and forced the country into a tradie crisis by ripping $3 billion out of vocational training and education.
Nearly two million Australians are out of work and employers are crying out for skilled staff.
The Liberals like to brag about their economic credentials, yet they starve the very sector that delivers the skilled staff that we need to grow the economy and stem unemployment.
Investment in skills, education, training is Economics 101 if you want to drive economic growth and maintain a high standard of living. But all the Liberals know is to cut, cut, cut.
By locking Australians out of education and training, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.
The Morrison Liberal government is a do-nothing government with no agenda for jobs, training or a better Australia.
We now have 1,165 fewer apprentices and trainees in Newcastle than we did when the Liberals came to power. That means we have lost almost a third of the 3,500 apprentices we had in 2013.
This leaves Newcastle, like the rest of the country, desperately short of critical trades that are vital to the healthy functioning of our regional economy.
The Morrison government has robbed Australians of employment opportunities and forced the country into a tradie crisis by ripping $3 billion out of vocational training and education.
Nearly two million Australians are out of work and employers are crying out for skilled staff.
The Liberals like to brag about their economic credentials, yet they starve the very sector that delivers the skilled staff that we need to grow the economy and stem unemployment.
Investment in skills, education, training is Economics 101 if you want to drive economic growth and maintain a high standard of living. But all the Liberals know is to cut, cut, cut.
By locking Australians out of education and training, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.
The Morrison Liberal government is a do-nothing government with no agenda for jobs, training or a better Australia.
Former foster carer charged over alleged indecent assaults of young girl
A former foster carer has been charged following an investigation into the alleged indecent assaults of a girl in the Newcastle region.
Last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a young girl had been indecently assaulted by a man while she was in his care.
Following extensive investigations, detectives arrested a 42-year-old man at a home on the Central Coast just before 8am on Wednesday 19 February 2020.
He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with aggravated indecent assault- victim under authority of offender (x4) and commit act of indecency with person under 16 years.
Police will allege in court that the man indecently assaulted the girl – then aged nine – on several occasions while she was in his care in 2017.
The man was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on 19 February 2020 where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 4 March 2020).
MORRISON'S FINGERPRINTS ARE ALL OVER SPORTS RORTS SCANDAL, ANAO REVELATIONS SHOW
Following revelations from the National Audit Office in Senate Estimates,Greens Senator Janet Rice has condemned the Morrison government for their corrupt behaviour and for meddling with the list of sports projects funding hours after the Federal election was called.
Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Sport said:
“Morrison is absolutely up to his neck in this scandal and his denials are not cutting it with the Senate or the Australian people. People are fed-up with this government thinking the rules don’t apply to them.
“Last night in Estimates, we learnt from the ANAO that the Coalition were still changing what projects were to be funded under the community sports grants and modifying the spreadsheet on the day the election was called, more than four hours after the government put into caretaker mode.
“These representations made by the Prime Minister’s office changed the allocation and amounts of grant funds sports clubs received. The updates resulted in one club being removed and likely missing out on funding, and nine new or amended applications rammed in at the last minute.
“These new grants were given to clubs and organisations that had put in late applications after being invited to do so by the government
“With revelations like this coming out almost daily, it’s crystal clear the Morrison government is actively subverting democracy with this cover up. The public has a right to know how their money is being spent.
“How many more scandals need to break before we get a federal anti-corruption watchdog with teeth?
“The Greens bill to establish a national integrity commission has already passed the Senate. If Scott Morrison was serious about integrity and honesty, he could bring this bill to a House vote now.”