The NSW Government is again putting the Murray-Darling river system in jeopardy by lifting the moratorium on floodplain harvesting before water from recent rains has made it down the river, and they should urgently reinstate it, the Greens say.
“When parts of the Darling are still dry, it defies logic that corporate upstream irrigators would be permitted to pump water and harvest floodplains, preventing precious flows from making it downstream,” Greens Water Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“There are towns still without drinking water, dry catchments and storages, and there are fish facing species collapse being pulled out of the river to save their DNA, yet corporate irrigators are being allowed to cash in on the recent rainfall.
“The River belongs to all of us. We cannot have upstream Basin states making decisions that only benefit them and their corporate mates, at the expense of everyone else who relies on a healthy river system.
“Just last week we had NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey criticising Qld for allowing irrigators north of the border to access flows – it seems what’s good for the goose is good for the gander but only when it suits them.
“The moratorium on floodplain harvesting should be reinstated and if the states won’t do it themselves then the Federal Water Minister needs to.
“At a time when the river is on the verge of collapse, family farms, river communities and the environment need leadership in government, not another National Party fizzer doing the bidding of the big corporates.”
Author: admin
Welfare dependence in Australia continues to fall
The proportion of working-age Australians receiving welfare benefits has fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years.
Department of Social Services analysis of recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics population data shows 13.5 per cent of the working-age population was receiving working-age income support payments at June 2019.
This is a drop from the previous year’s level of 14.3 per cent and marks a significant reduction over the past decade when in 2009 the proportion of working-age Australians relying on welfare was 17.2 per cent.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said these figures show that the Morrison Government’s plan to provide pathways from welfare to employment was working.
“We are focussed on growing the economy, getting more people into work, and delivering well-targeted social security funded through a strong budget,” Minister Ruston said.
“More than 1.5 million jobs have been created since the Coalition was elected. As more people find employment we are seeing a fall in the number of working-age Australians on welfare.”
In 2019-20 the Government is forecast to spend $180 billion on social security and welfare – about one in every three dollars of taxpayer money spent.
“The safety net our social security system provides is vital to support the most vulnerable among us is which is why it is crucial that the system remains sustainable,” Minister Ruston said.
PARK’NPAY PUTTING MORE POWER IN DRIVERS’ HANDS
Sydney drivers have given the NSW Government’s new Park’nPay app the thumbs up, with 9,500 app downloads and more than 7,823 transactions since it went live in October 2019 in Liverpool City Council, The Rocks and parts of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said drivers will receive a significant boost, with commercial parking giants Wilson Parking and Secure Parking coming on board in the next few weeks, by supplying data on their parking stock via the app. Central Coast Council will also trial the app.
“The app is convenient and makes life easier for drivers by putting the power of parking in their hands,” Mr Dominello said.
“The technology eliminates the need for drivers to walk to a parking meter by allowing them to pay and top up via the app. It also helps drivers avoid parking fines, by sending a notification when their meter is running low or their park is about to turn into a no stopping zone.”
Mr Dominello said having Wilson Parking and Secure Parking come on board is a game changer for drivers, with tens of thousands more parking bays across Sydney soon to be available on the app.
“Wilson Parking and Secure Parking collectively operate about 250 commercial car parks across metro Sydney, comprising of more than 125,000 parking bays, accessed by millions of drivers each year,” Mr Dominello said.
“This is a big win for drivers. Whether you’re visiting family and friends or doing some shopping, there will be more opportunities to use the app to find that ideal spot and reduce congestion.”
Both commercial parking operators will continue to manage payments through their own platforms. The app has a 92 per cent customer satisfaction rating. It is free and available on iPhone and Android phones. Drivers simply download the Park’nPay app, create an account with their licence plate and payment details. Users have the option of paying with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Parking inspectors will check to see if a meter has been paid by searching licence plate details using an app on their phone. Parking meters will continue to accept coins and credit cards. For more information visit www.parknpay.nsw.gov.au
BUSHFIRE CLEAN-UP UNDERWAY AS EXCAVATORS MOBILISE ACROSS THE STATE
The operation to clean-up homes and businesses destroyed and damaged by bushfires across NSW took a major step forward today with debris being cleared from Rainbow Flat properties on the North Coast.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro and NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and State Recovery Coordinator Mick Willing joined Laing O’Rourke Managing Director Cathal O’Rourke in Rainbow Flat to oversee the start of clean-up operations.
Mr Barilaro said excavators will clear approximately 40 destroyed properties at Rainbow Flat in the coming days, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to cover the cost of the clean-up on a 50:50 basis with the Federal Government, so insured and uninsured owners will have more money in their pockets to rebuild their homes.
“The sooner we can safely clear the 2,400 plus houses and thousands of other buildings that have been destroyed across the State, the sooner people can rebuild,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Initial building assessments have already been done for over 41,000 properties. Now the clean-up resources are rolling out across the State.
“Having excavators in place and working so quickly is a testament to Laing O’Rourke’s expertise. I thank them and Public Works Advisory for making this happen, especially given the challenges caused by the weekend downpours.”
Assistant Commissioner Willing said co-ordinating a safe, efficient and timely clean-up effort across the State will be challenging.
“The clean-up includes managing hazardous materials such as asbestos, dangerous trees that are near homes or commercial buildings, along with damaged driveways that could impact on the safety of the clean-up or impede the rebuilding process. We will also be ensuring the huge volume of waste is disposed of correctly,” Assistant Commissioner Willing said.
“This is a mammoth task and I ask people to please be patient for a little while longer, we are coming to your town as soon as possible.”
Mr O’Rourke said Laing O’Rourke will work with qualified local subcontractors and suppliers where possible to take advantage of local knowledge and expertise.
“Laing O’Rourke has pulled together a team of experts in their field from across the industry, and now we are ready to mobilise and get on with the task of helping people recover as soon as possible,” Mr O’Rourke said.
To opt-in to the free property clean-up service, bushfire-impacted owners must register online at www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.
Taser and cash seized; man charged – Newcastle
A man will appear in court today after police located drugs and more than $80,000 cash in Newcastle.
In November 2019, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District commenced Strike Force Chufa to investigate the supply of methylamphetamine in the Newcastle area.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended an apartment on King Street, Newcastle, where they spoke with a 39-year-old man.
During a subsequent search of his motor vehicle, police seized a small quantity of methylamphetamine, an electrical stun device similar to a taser, and more than $80,000 in cash.
He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with:
- Supply prohibited drug (22 counts)
- Supply commercial quantity prohibited drug
- Deal in proceeds of crime
- Possess prohibited weapon
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 12 February 2020).
We Don’t Need No Hanson Education Bill: Faruqi
Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to Senator Pauline Hanson’s announcement of “The Prohibiting the Indoctrination of Children Bill” which, absurdly, would rewrite the curriculum to require teaching of climate denialism and dangerous conservative ideas of gender and sexuality.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Senator Hanson’s attempt to gag teachers and stuff the curriculum full of right-wing conspiracy theories would be laughable if it weren’t so terrifying.
“The curriculum should be based on evidence and expertise not Pauline Hanson’s latest bigoted thought bubble.
“There is no place for this kind of censorship of teachers in our democracy and our schools.
“This bill belongs nowhere but in the bin. Hanson’s spurious claims that human-caused climate change is ‘unsubstantiated’ and schools ‘teach gender fluidity and realignment to infants’ can go with it.
“It’s vital every child learns the realities of the climate crisis, the truth of Australia’s settler-colonial past and how to have respectful relationships in the context of a comprehensive sex education.
“Teachers, working with educational experts, do a great job supporting students, often working without the resources they need. They certainly don’t need One Nation’s meddling.”
Senate pressures Govt to bring on vote for Greens Federal ICAC
The Australian Senate has sent a message to the Morrison Government that it wants a federal corruption watchdog with teeth, voting for the Government to bring on the Greens’ National Integrity Commission Bill in the House of Representatives for a vote in the February 2020 sittings.
The Greens bill passed the Senate in September 2019.
Greens leader in the Senate Larissa Waters said, “The Senate has today sent a clear message that it won’t stand for the weak Government model for a Federal ICAC which is already long delayed and ineffective.
“It was very telling that it was only the Government Senators who voted against the House being compelled to bring on the Greens ICAC bill for a vote. They are plagued by integrity scandals and you’ve got to wonder if they have even more to hide.
“The Greens have been pushing for 10 years for a corruption watchdog and we urgently need action to restore community confidence following #SportsRorts and rolling integrity sagas.
“This is now a test for Prime Minister Scott Morrison – will he hear the strong message for the Senate and clean up this sideshow of scandals or continue to delay and whitewash his weak body which won’t stop corruption?
“It will also be the first indication of whether Llew O’Brien or the Nationals follow through on their threat and cross the floor to support integrity.
“Australians deserve to have their voice and values represented in parliament, a place intended to give voice to people, not the vested interests of big donors.”
Download a copy of the Greens’ National Integrity Commission Bill here:
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s1154
Senate Motion passed 33:29:
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Chamber_documents/Senate_chamber_documents/Notice_Paper/Current_Notice_Paper
Senator Waters:
To move—
(1) That the Senate notes that:
(a) the Senate passed the Australian Greens’ National Integrity Commission Bill 2018 (No. 2) on 9 September 2019 to establish a federal corruption watchdog with broad remit to investigate allegations of corruption and misconduct, and to ensure strong, independent oversight of the actions of parliamentarians; and
(b) public consultation on the Commonwealth Integrity Commission model proposed by the Government ended more than one year ago, but the Government has yet to introduce legislation to establish an integrity commission,
(2) That the Senate calls on the Federal Government to bring on the Australian Greens’ National Integrity Commission Bill 2019 in the House of Representatives for a vote in the February 2020 sittings.
(3) That this resolution be sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
With QLD Gov Support, Greens renew calls for National Horse Register
Greens Spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed the Queensland Government’s support for a National Horse Register following the release of the independent inquiry into the management of retired racehorses.
Senator Faruqi’s 2019 Senate inquiry into establishing a National Horse Traceability Register called for the establishment of a national working group to work towards implementing a Register in December.
Senator Faruqi said:
“I welcome the Queensland Government’s support for a national horse register.
“Australians were outraged by the horrific slaughter of racehorses exposed by 730. We need to track horses throughout their lives so the industry has no more excuses for not ensuring every horse has a dignified retirement.
“The independent inquiry is right to identify this as a national problem that requires national leadership and solutions.
“That’s why I’m calling on the Minister Littleproud to work urgently to establish a register.
“I have long said that when animals and gambling mix, animals always suffer. At the end of the day, no racehorse should end up in a slaughterhouse. We need strong enforcement and strong animal welfare laws as well. The Greens have long advocated for an independent office for animal welfare which can do this.”
High Court ruling
The Greens welcome the High Court’s decision regarding the government’s ability to deport First Nations peoples.
“Trying to deport First Nations peoples whose country we stole is a fundamentally racist thing to do,” Greens Immigration and Citizenship spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“All First Nations peoples who are in Immigration detention should now be immediately released.”
“It is also time to rein in the authority of both the Immigration Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs so we don’t see these kinds of gross abuses of power.”
“This is a significant development for the rights of First Nations peoples.”
Australian Greens spokesperson on First Nations issues Senator Rachel Siewert said:
“It is deeply insulting and disrespectful that Mr Dutton thinks he can deport the Traditional Owners of this land.”
“This type of Government policy directly contradicts Closing the Gap objectives.”
“With the PM set to address the Parliament tomorrow on the Closing the Gap report I would suggest that that he use the opportunity to apologise for this racist approach.”
Government avoids vote on Greens ICAC bill
The Government has today used its numbers in the lower house to narrowly avoid voting on a motion to pass the Greens’ bill for a national corruption watchdog with teeth.
“Today the Prime Minister has once again dodged scrutiny and integrity by gagging and delaying a vote on whether to have a strong federal corruption watchdog,” said Greens Senate Leader and democracy spokesperson, Senator Larissa Waters.
“The Government did not even allow any debate on the motion, just gag and delay so they can continue the dodgy conduct of their Ministers without any independent body to hold them to account.
“The procedural games can’t conceal that this government is running away from integrity and transparency as fast as new corruption scandals emerge.
“The Prime Minister now has a reputation for ignoring corruption and conflicts of interest that the pub test says breach Ministerial Standards – and he’s now also the guy standing in the way of a corruption watchdog.
“It raises the serious question – what further immoral behaviour does the Prime Minister and his scandal-ridden ministers have to hide?
“The best antidote to corruption and conflicts of interest is sunlight.
“The Government reluctantly conceded a federal corruption watchdog was needed 16 months ago but there is still no draft legislation and everyone is sick of waiting while the snouts remain in the trough.
“People, the Senate and almost half the House of Representatives are calling for the Prime Minister to clean up the sideshow of scandals. He ignores them at his peril,” she said.
The vote on whether to vote on the motion to bring on and vote on a Greens ICAC bill was very close, dividing along party lines at 72:70. The Nationals and Llew O’Brien voted with the Government.