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Precautionary action taken ahead of hazardous conditions

City of Newcastle is taking precautionary actions ahead of predicted large ocean swells and high tides with heavy rainfall predicted for Saturday and Sunday (7 and 8 February 2020).
The east coast low like conditions and a predicted 2-metre high tide on Sunday 9 February increases the likelihood of erosion at Stockton Beach, and potentially create dangerous conditions for coastal activities, increase potential for localised flooding and risk of fallen trees.
City of Newcastle will be undertaking proactive reinforcement of the sand-bag wall at north Stockton near Griffith Street and Stone Street using additional one-tonne sandbags.
The following traffic and pedestrian arrangements will be in place for Stockton from Friday 7 February to facilitate these works:

Barrie Crescent in Stockton will be open for one-way traffic only
No parking zones will be established in Barrie Crescent Stockton

The Stockton Beach accessways along the Mitchell Street seawall and the northern access at Stone Street will be closed and the accessways at the Stockton Surf Life Saving Club and near Lexie’s Café will be monitored and may be closed subject to conditions.
Other locations across Newcastle that may be affected by hazardous conditions include:

Shortland Esplanade and promenades along City beaches, including the Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths
All beaches in the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA)
Low-lying roads
Local roads across the Newcastle LGA.

In addition, the City has also made the decision to close all of its sportsgrounds for competition games and training. Sportsgrounds will be reassessed on Monday and a further update will be provided regarding their suitability for use.
City of Newcastle requests all residents and visitors to be aware of changing conditions and potential road closures and follow directional signage, warnings notices and instructions of City of Newcastle staff and other authorities.
Please stay safe when moving in and around the City in the predicted weather event.
To stay up to date on the most current weather warnings, please follow the Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/
For emergency advice contact State Emergency Service www.ses.nsw.gov.au Phone 132 500

BUILDING REFORMS BOOSTED WITH NEW TRANSFORMATION TEAM

Dodgy developments will be a thing of the past under NSW Government plans that will see the implementation of ratings systems for professionals in the building industry and strong new powers to prevent occupation certificates from being issued on suspect developments.
The new rating system will help the building regulator determine who the risky players are in the industry and prevent dodgy apartments from being sold to unexpecting buyers.
The changes form part of the NSW Building Commissioner’s work plan which, for the first time, outlines publicly how the government plans to overhaul the building and construction industry in NSW under Six Reform Pillars.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the reforms will improve transparency, accountability and quality of work within the industry.
“These reforms are a complete game changer for consumers, the government and the building industry as a whole,” Mr Anderson said.
“Simply put, customers need better built buildings, and our reforms will deliver that. Anyone who doesn’t want to get on board with that concept will get left behind.”
The six reform pillars cover legislation and regulations changes, ratings systems, improving skills within the industry, ensuring contracts help meet standards, digitising the industry and establishing NSW as a leader in modern construction methods.
NSW Building Commissioner, David Chandler said the old days of being reactionary to problems in the industry can’t continue.
“The government has a great deal of resources available, including inspectors, which is why we need to make sure we’re using those resources in the best way possible to protect consumers from major defects,” Mr Chandler said.
Mr Anderson said passing the Design and Building Practitioners Bill, which is currently held up in the NSW Upper House, is crucial to the progression of building reforms.
“We asking the opposition and the cross bench to put consumers ahead of politics and let us get on with the building reforms, every day these reforms are delayed is another day homeowners go without the necessary protections,” Mr Anderson said.
The NSW Upper House will resume debate on the Design and Building Practitioners Bill in the last week of February.

Man charged after copper cable stolen at Newcastle

A man will face court today over the alleged ongoing theft of copper cable in Newcastle.
In January 2020, officers attached to Newcastle City Target Action Group commenced an investigation into the alleged theft of a large amount of copper cabling from an area of the Port of Newcastle.
Following extensive inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Tully Street, Carrington, and arrested a 45-year-old man about 2.30pm yesterday (Thursday 6 February 2020).
Police will allege the man broke into a storage area located at the Port of Newcastle on Thursday 30 January, Saturday 1 February, Tuesday 4 February and Wednesday 5 February, removed a large amount of copper cabling and damaged equipment.
The 45-year-old man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with:

Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal less than $60,000
Break and enter house etc steal value less than $60,000 (x3)
Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
Deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000

He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 7 February 2020).
Investigations are ongoing.

Police investigate reported child approach – Scone

Police are appealing for the public’s help to locate a man as they investigate an alleged child approach at Scone yesterday.
About 8.40am (Thursday 6 February 2020), police have been told that a 10-year-old boy was riding his bicycle eastbound on Liverpool Street, Scone, on his way to school when a man sitting on the side of the footpath has spoken to the child for a short time.
The boy left shortly after and rode to school and reported the incident to a teacher.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified later in the afternoon and commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, investigators would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist.
He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 70-years-old and with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and white cap, a t-shirt, shorts and thongs.
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the nearby area to contact Scone Police on 02 6544 0199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Powerful New Body to Tackle ADF and Veteran Suicides

A powerful, new independent body will be created to investigate all suspected veteran and Australian Defence Force (ADF) suicides and causes to help save lives.
The Morrison Government will establish a permanent National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
The National Commissioner will have the enduring power, scope and resources to investigate suicides and related issues as they arise, rather than being restricted by a one-off review looking at past practices.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the independent Commissioner would also have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence.
“This is about being forever vigilant for the care and well-being of our veterans,” the Prime Minister said.
“Those veterans and all serving men and women protect our community and our freedoms. It is our duty to do the same for them.
“I have thought long and hard about the best response to this issue. I have spoken to veterans right across Australia and I have met with their families and also local, state and national organisations.
“I believe what we have developed addresses the needs of those veterans, their families and our serving men and women.
“We will be permanently vigilant about their welfare.”
The National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention will be empowered to perform two roles:

The Commissioner will be an independent and permanent public accountability body, with the same powers of a Royal Commission to compel the production of evidence and summon witnesses, and make findings and recommendations to Government.
The Commissioner will also provide an ongoing investigative function of individual cases of suicide, working with each state and territory coronial office, making recommendations to Government.

The Government will invest an initial $40 million to support the Commissioner’s work and this will be expanded to ensure they have whatever resources they need.
The Government will also establish an immediate, independent review of historical veteran suicide cases, conducted by the Commissioner, focusing on the impact of military service and veterans’ post service experience.
An interim report will be delivered within 12 months. Families will be engaged in this process if they wish, with an opportunity to participate and tell their stories openly and safely.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, along with coronial and legal experts, will provide technical expertise in support of this work.
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the Commissioner would also deliver an Annual Veteran and Defence Suicide Death Report to the Parliament.
“This will be a transparent report directly to the Parliament on an annual basis on suicides within the defence and veteran community, including an update on the implementation and evaluation of measures to reduce suicide risk factors,” Mr Chester said.
“The Government is committed to ensuring ADF members, veterans and their families have access to the right support, at the right time, especially those who are vulnerable or at risk.”
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the Chief of the Defence Force and each Service Chief was committed to being open and transparent, to support improved health outcomes for ADF personnel and veterans.
“The mental health and wellbeing of our vets and Defence Force members is an issue of national and enduring importance.
“These comprehensive measures have been developed with a very clear focus on finding the most effective and practical ways of better identifying, preventing, understanding and acting on suicide and suicide risks among our vets and service men and women.”
A Veteran Family Advocate will also be appointed to directly engage with the families of veterans, to improve the design of all veteran programs and services, including mental health supports and services.
“The new Veteran Family Advocate will focus on mental health and suicide prevention, and contribute to our understanding of risk factors relating to the wellbeing of veterans and their families, particularly during transition from the ADF,” Mr Chester said.
“The Advocate will represent the views of veterans and their families by engaging and advocating to help shape policy and the administration of veteran benefits and support.
“We want to assure defence and veterans’ families that help is available now and it can make a difference. Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling provides support and counselling to current ADF members, veterans and their families and can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 011 046.”

Two charged over alleged fraud offences – Newcastle

Two people have been charged with alleged fraud offences in the Newcastle area.
About 7.20am yesterday (Wednesday 5 February 2020), officers attached to Newcastle City Police District executed a search warrant at a home on Watkins Street, Merewether, where they spoke with a 27-year-old woman.
During the search warrant, police allegedly located and seized a large quantity of property believed to be stolen, including credit cards, driver’s licences, jewellery, and medication.
The 27-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station.
Following further inquiries, police attended a home on Callen Street, Stockton, and arrested a 24-year-old man.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with six counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, and one count each of larceny and destroy/damage property. He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 5 February 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to face the same court on Thursday 13 February 2020.
The woman was charged with two counts of larceny. She was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 5 January 2020), where she was again refused bail to face the same court on Thursday 12 March 2020.

Adam Bandt elected as Greens leader, kicks off fight for a Green New Deal

Adam Bandt MP, Member for Melbourne, has been elected as the Australian Greens Parliamentary Leader.
Adam will use his first media conference as leader to call for a government-led Green New Deal to tackle the climate emergency and the jobs and inequality crises. Adam will also make a strong pitch to young people to join the movement for a Green New Deal.
In a ballot held in the Greens party room today, Adam was elected uncontested. Larissa Waters, Senator for Queensland has been elected Leader in the Senate and Nick McKim, Senator for Tasmania has been elected as Deputy Leader in the Senate. Rachel Siewert has been returned as Whip and Janet Rice continues as Party Room Chair and also takes on the role of Deputy Whip.
Adam was elected to the Federal Parliament in 2010, making history as the first Green elected to the House of Representatives at a general election. Since his first election he has doubled the Greens vote in Melbourne taking it to one of the biggest in the country. Before entering Parliament, Adam worked for many years as a public interest and industrial lawyer protecting workers from privatisation and big corporations.
Adam Bandt MP said:
“I want to acknowledge the fantastic work of our former leader Richard Di Natale and thank him for his leadership of our party and service to our country. I want to thank my colleagues for their support and the confidence they have placed in me. I also look forward to working closely with Greens National Councillors, State MPs and local councillors, State Conveners and branches in the coming months as we go forward.
“In particular, I want to congratulate Larissa Waters for being elected today as Leader in the Senate and Nick McKim for being elected as Deputy Leader in the Senate. Holding these leadership positions reflects the years of hard work and commitment you’ve each made to the Greens movement, and I’m excited to work closely with you both in the years ahead.
“We are in the middle of a climate emergency and long running jobs and inequality crises. People are angry and anxious because the government has no plan for the big problems facing the country.
“That is why Australia needs a Green New Deal.
“A Green New Deal means government leading the country in transforming our economy, creating new jobs and industries powered by clean energy and delivering universal services like dental into Medicare and genuinely free education. This is what I will be fighting for.
“We are a smart and wealthy country and if we have the guts to take on the big corporations and the weak politicians they have in their pockets, we can solve the problems we face.
“I call on everyone, but particularly young Australians, to join our movement for a Green New Deal so together we can fight to save the future.”
For further details, see the biography below.

Australian Greens Parliamentary Leader Adam Bandt

WHO IS ADAM?
Adam Bandt is the Federal Member for Melbourne. Adam lives with his wife Claudia, daughters Wren and Elke and their dog Max in inner-city Melbourne.
Adam was elected to the Federal Parliament in 2010, making history as the first Green elected to the House of Representatives at a general election.
Adam has served as Deputy Leader under Christine Milne and Richard Di Natale. For a number of years Adam has been the Greens spokesperson on the climate crisis, energy, employment & industrial relations and science, research and innovation. He has previously been the Greens Treasury spokesperson.
Since first running for the seat of Melbourne in 2007, Adam has more than doubled his vote, winning 49.3% of the primary votes in 2019 and securing the third highest two-candidate preferred result in the country (68.5%).
In his maiden speech to Parliament, Adam warned of the coming climate emergency. Adam was a key participant in the Gillard minority government’s Multi-Party Climate Change Committee which developed the climate price and established the successful Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. It was only because of Adam’s election and the signed agreement with Julia Gillard that the carbon price was introduced, the only time carbon pollution has decreased in Australia.
Before entering Parliament, Adam worked for many years as a public interest and industrial lawyer protecting workers from privatisation and big business. Adam represented some of Australia’s lowest paid workers, working with the current President of the ACTU Michelle O’Neill on legal action against corporate giant Nike to make them responsible for the wages and conditions of workers in their supply chain. Adam also worked to protect the rights of coal workers in the Latrobe Valley after their power stations were privatised.
One of Adam’s first acts in Parliament was to introduce a private members bill extending protection for firefighters who contract cancer through their work, which passed into law with unanimous support, becoming one of only 7 private members bills to become law in the past two decades.
Adam also joins the ranks of party leaders who like to DJ, with a pair of turntables & mixer at home which get brought out for long-suffering guests at parties and sometimes at Greens events.

Di Natale Resigns Parliamentary Leadership

Australian Greens Senator for Victoria Dr Richard Di Natale has resigned as Parliamentary Leader of the Australian Greens.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to lead the Australian Greens in the federal parliament for the past four years, fighting every day for the values that millions of Australians care so deeply about,” Di Natale said.
“But leading a political party is a tough, demanding job so after nearly a decade as a Senator – half that time as leader – I have decided to step aside as Parliamentary Leader of the Australian Greens.”
“Before I became one of them, I thought that politicians who said they want to ‘spend more time with their family’ were guilty of using one of the biggest cliches in politics. As it turns out, in some cases it’s true. My boys are 9 and 11 years old and they have only ever known their dad as a busy, tired and sometimes grumpy politician. As they grow up quickly to become young men, I want to spend more time by their side than a relentless political schedule allows.
“Looking back on the last decade in Parliament, there are so many things I am proud of. The Carbon Price we negotiated in 2010 with the Gillard Government, which showed what can be accomplished when political parties work together for a common goal; the much-needed royal commissions into the banking and disability sectors and, of course, the historic vote to achieve marriage equality.”
“As for what comes next for the Greens, I have great confidence in the intelligence, compassion and courage of every one of my parliamentary colleagues. But the success of our party and cause has never and will never depend upon one person. Our party will succeed because we are part of a much broader community movement, a movement that is growing stronger each day.
“I don’t know what comes next for me, but I intend to continue to make a positive contribution to the issues about which I have been so passionate for my entire adult life: Green politics, climate change, health, issues affecting First Nations people and tackling inequality.
“So many Australians are making it clear that they want urgent climate action and as a Greens MP, I am proud to have represented them in our Parliament. I will be ending my time as leader filled with optimism about the future, buoyed by the millions of young people who I marched alongside during the student climate strike in Melbourne last year.
“The future of progressive politics is in the Parliament and in the streets, and I am filled with confidence about the direction that each is heading.”
NOTE: Selection of the new leadership team will be resolved 24 hours after leadership roles become vacant, in accordance with Party Room rules.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr Richard Di Natale was the leader of the Australian Greens from 6th May 2015 to 3rd February 2020. He was elected to the federal parliament in 2010 and was the Greens’ first Victorian Senator.
Prior to entering parliament, Richard was a GP and public health specialist. He worked in Aboriginal health in the Northern Territory, on HIV prevention in India and in the drug and alcohol sector.
Richard champions evidence-based solutions to the major problems facing our community today: climate change, growing economic inequality and the destruction of our environment.
Richard firmly believes that our democracy should be transparent and work for all of us, not just those who can buy a seat at the table. He is a leading voice in the campaign to clean up politics by ending corporate influence and donations to political parties.
Richard’s achievements in parliament include working in the team that negotiated the Carbon Price with Julia Gillard’s Government in 2010, which saw billions of dollars flow into renewable energy projects from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), negotiated billions of dollars in Medicare funded dental care; and got $250 million of tobacco money out of the Future Fund.
As party leader he won cross-party support for a federal ICAC to clean up politics and passed a bill to establish one through the Senate; drove the push for the much-needed royal commissions into the banking and disability sectors; secured $100 million dollars for Landcare and championed medicinal cannabis and drug law reform. In Parliament, Richard consistently pushed to put the climate crisis on the agenda; and fought for higher standards for MP’s – leading the Australian Greens walkout during Pauline Hanson’s racist and bigoted maiden speech to the Senate in 2016.
Richard also led the Greens to their second highest ever election result in 2019.
Richard, his wife Lucy and two young sons live off the grid on a farm in the foothills of Victoria’s Otway Ranges. The son of Italian migrants, Richard grew up in Melbourne.

Labor sells its soul to militant unions

New figures released today prove beyond doubt that Anthony Albanese and his Labor team are nothing more than highly-paid mouthpieces for militant unions.
Electoral Commission political donation data reveals that more than $13.8 million was pumped into Labor’s coffers by unions in 2018/19, while almost $35 million was spent directly by unions on trying to make Bill Shorten Prime Minister.
Australia’s most lawless union – the CFMMEU – was among the biggest individual contributors to Labor, kicking in almost $2 million.
And what did the CFMMEU get in return for their generosity? They got every Labor MP and Senator to go into bat for them against the Morrison Government’s vitally important Ensuring Integrity Bill – a Bill that promises to break the CFMMEU’s stranglehold over the construction industry and end the violence, bullying and intimidation that has plagued the sector for decades.
“What these figures prove is that if you pump enough money into Labor’s coffers, you can guarantee its support in Parliament, even if it means defending the indefensible, such as thuggery, coercion and harassment,” Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Christian Porter, said.
“Let’s not forget that the CFMMEU has been described by the Federal Court as the most recidivist corporate offender in Australia’s history, having racked up more than $17 million dollars in fines in recent years for offences such as coercion, intimidation and even faking safety concerns.
“Yet Labor is more than happy to take the union’s money, even though Anthony Albanese doesn’t believe that John Setka is a fit and proper person to be a member of his party. Anthony Albanese needs to come clean and tell the Australian people whose side he is really on. Is it the side of the Australian people, or the side of union thugs and bullies?”

NSW FIRE-AFFECTED BUSINESSES AND COUNCILS ENCOURAGED TO ACCESS FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Small businesses and councils affected by the bushfires can apply for a suite of financial assistance packages thanks to the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.
The financial support includes grants of up to $50,000 for small businesses directly affected by bushfire, up to $250,000 to Local Government Areas, a Bushfire Working Capital Loan of up to $50,000 and low interest loans of up to $500,000 to eligible small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits in bushfire impacted council areas.
Federal Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said, thousands of small businesses have been impacted by the recent bushfires both in the disaster-declared areas and in surrounding areas.
“These financial support measures will provide much needed funds for affected small businesses in the early recovery phase to help them get back on their feet,” Minister Cash said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the bushfires had devastated entire communities.
“As we move into the recovery phase, communities are facing unprecedented challenges and there will be many difficult months ahead,” he said.
“These grants and loans will assist bushfire-affected communities to get back on their feet.”
Financial assistance includes:

Grants of up to $50,000 are available for eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations with direct damage to their premises, equipment or stock from the bushfires and can help to pay for repairs, via Service NSW;
Payments up to $250,000 to Local Government Areas impacted by bushfire for small scale local activities that will kick-start the social and economic recovery of their communities;
Loans of up to $500,000 specifically designed to provide an immediate injection of money to help return and continue business operations by covering salaries or wages, rent, lease and rates, as well as purchase of goods and services, via NSW Rural Assistance Authority.

Funding is provided jointly from the NSW and Commonwealth Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said he encouraged small businesses to apply for the funding, which would assist in getting bushfire-affected communities up and running as soon as possible.
“Small enterprises are the lifeblood of their community and we want to do everything we can to support them during this time of recovery,” he said.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the bushfire recovery phase is also about supporting communities to come together and heal.
“Local councils are the backbones to their communities and we’re committed to doing all we can to help them as they start to heal and rebuild their communities.”
Small Business Grants
The Commonwealth Government announced on Monday, 20 January, a Small Business Bushfire Recovery Package that included recovery grants, concessional loans, a Small Business Financial Support Line, Local Economic Recovery Plans and tax relief. Those small businesses who have already accessed up to $15,000 under the existing Small Business Grants scheme, can now apply for additional funds, bringing the total available to $50,000.
The assistance is being provided through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements between states and territories and the Commonwealth Government.
The grant is being administered through Service NSW and is available to eligible, fire-affected small businesses within Category C declared Local Government Areas (LGAs) since 31 August 2019.
For more information on eligibility criteria and to register to apply for the grant, visit
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-small-business-bushfire-recovery-grant
Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund
Councils will be offered payments of a minimum $100,000 and up to $250,000 for small scale local activities that will kick-start the social and economic recovery of their communities. This quick and flexible funding will be made available to eligible councils from early February 2020.
Councils can use funding straight away for events or initiatives that support local business and industry recovery, as well as community resilience and wellbeing.
Examples could include:

local recovery support services for impacted small businesses;
local industry recovery events;
neighbourhood and community strengthening activities that focus on building capacity, community strengthening and resilience.

These Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Grants have been previously announced and are being provided through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements between states and territories and the Commonwealth Government.
Bushfire Working Capital and Recovery Loans
The Bushfire Working Capital Loan is up to $50,000 and is specifically designed to provide an immediate injection of money to help return and continue business operations by covering salaries or wages, rebuilding infrastructure and purchase of goods and services. Its terms are up to five years, with a two year interest free and repayment free period.
And the larger Bushfire Recovery Loan of up to $500,000 is over 10 years, with a two-year interest free and payment free period. It is available for significantly larger investments where required.
The loans are jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Applications and details are on-line, via the NSW Rural Assistance Authority www.raa.nsw.gov.au.