A new 480-bed maximum-security prison wing was opened today at Junee Correctional Centre, as part of the NSW Government’s $3.8 billion investment in safer communities.
Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts, Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke and Corrective Services NSW Assistant Commissioner Carlo Scasserra attended the ceremonial prison-keys handover with General Manager Scott Brideoake.
“Junee prison is one of the biggest employers in the Riverina and its expansion has led to an additional 130 ongoing jobs in the area and a continuing investment in the region,” Mr Roberts said.
“The new modern prison wing will enhance the prison’s strong reputation in reducing reoffending through improved inmate access to education, programs and training.”
Ms Cooke said the construction project had already made a positive contribution to the Wagga Wagga and Junee economies.
“At the peak of construction there were between 250-300 tradies working hard on site to ensure the new prison wing was on time and on budget. During that time, they were shopping, eating and staying locally,” Ms Cooke said.
Mr Scasserra said the new wing would strengthen the prison’s focus on inmate rehabilitation.
“A dedicated new industries building with bakery, laundry and other operations will ensure inmates are readily employed and learning skills to prepare them for life on the outside,” Mr Scasserra said.
Mr Brideoake of the GEO Group Australia, which operates the centre, said the expansion project included many benefits for the prison’s staff and inmates.
“We welcome the refurbishment and expansion of our gatehouse, health centre, inmate reception and administration building to make a better workplace,” Mr Brideoake said.
Work will continue into next year, with the refurbishing of support areas within the existing centre and construction of a new 10-bed female unit.
While in Junee, Minister Roberts will draw the raffle winner of a 1987 Holden VL Commodore restored by inmates to raise money for charity Country Hope.
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Man extradited from South Australia over alleged child sexual and indecent assaults
A man will re-appear in court today after being extradited from South Australia over the alleged sexual and indecent assault of two girls in the Hunter region.
In December 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a girl was sexually assaulted by a man known to her while she was in his care.
During the course of the investigation, officers received reports a second girl had been indecently assaulted by the man while she was in his care.
Following extensive inquiries, by officers from South Australia Police arrested a 60-year-old man on a NSW warrant at Port Pirie, South Australia, on Monday (9 December 2019).
The man appeared at Port Pirie Magistrates Court, where NSW Police Force detectives applied for and were granted his extradition to NSW.
He was escorted by detectives on a flight to Sydney yesterday (Wednesday 11 December 2019).
The man was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with aggravated sexual assault – victim under authority of offender (x2), and indecent assault person under 16 years of age.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted a girl – aged between seven and eight – on two occasions in the Hunter region.
It will be further alleged that the man indecently assaulted a second girl – aged between nine and 10 – in the Hunter region.
He was refused bail and appeared at Central Local Court yesterday where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 12 December 2019).
As Australia burns, the Liberals cheat and Labor spits in the face of victims: Greens
The Australian Greens have slammed Liberal and Labor for their climate failures and embrace of coal, both on the international stage and the while tackling the bushfires crisis currently crippling the east coast of Australia.
Greens’ spokesperson for the climate crisis, Adam Bandt MP said:
“In the middle of a climate emergency, the Liberals are overseas trying to cheat their way out of our climate obligations and Labor is spitting in the face of bushfire victims by spruiking coal.
“As Australia burns and Sydney chokes, glorifying coal is insensitive and utterly offensive.
“Coal is the biggest contributor to global warming. Coal fuelling these fires, coal is fuelling the Sydney smoke and coal is making the drought worse.
“Overseas in Madrid, Angus Taylor is cooking the books, trying to use dodgy accounting tricks to meet our climate obligations and the rest of the world is pushing back.
“Australia cheated the Kyoto Agreement by insisting on the right to increase pollution and the Liberals are trying to cheat their way out of the Paris Agreement too.
Responding to the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, Mr Bandt said: “The main problem isn’t little Lucifers in the suburbs, it’s devils in Canberra with coal in their hands and denial in their heads.”
Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Richard Di Natale said:
“What we’ve seen from Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese is climate hypocrisy, when we so desperately need climate leadership.
“Coal is the biggest cause of the climate crisis and in the middle of a climate emergency the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader should be talking about a plan to transition away from coal. Instead, they are cheerleading coal, touring regional Queensland with new Akubras, and offering coal communities false promises that their industry will continue indefinitely.
“Australia has been calling out for collaborative action to address the climate crisis. Right now, we have a bipartisan consensus to fail. Bipartisanship is pointless if all it does it leads to is more coal, and a refusal to tackle action to address the climate crisis.”
Labor Backs Call for National Bushfire Summit
Labor backs calls today from former fire and emergency chiefs to hold a national summit on bushfire preparedness in our changing climate.
We have heard repeatedly from this group of ex-fire chiefs and organisations such as the Red Cross that our nation is not prepared for the increasing frequency and intensity of future natural disasters.
So far this bushfire season, the Prime Minister has:
- Refused to meet with ex-fire chiefs, who wanted to warn him about the dangerous conditions we now face,
- Dismissed Labor’s suggestion to hold an urgent COAG meeting to ensure Australia was prepared for future bushfires and other natural disasters, and
- Rejected concerns about fatigue among our volunteer firefighters, saying “they want to be there”.
It’s time Scott Morrison swallowed his pride, showed leadership and brought together fire chiefs, scientists, farmers and our defence forces, to plan for the future.
Disaster preparedness is a national issue which deserves national leadership.
Unfortunately, leadership is not what we see from the Prime Minister, who continue to bury his head in the sand, ignoring the warnings and pleas from experts, scientists and communities.
It’s time Scott Morrison listened to the experts and ensured Australia is disaster ready.
We need a national plan to ensure Australia has the resources and coordination to effectively manage future bushfires and natural disasters.
City marks 90th birthdays of Civic jewels
This year City of Newcastle led the charge to a new, more accessible CBD by relocating to a modern office block in the West End.
Ninety years ago this week it blazed a similar trail, opening City Hall and the Civic Theatre upon completion of a twin £300,000 development dubbed “Civic Block”.
Council had by then outgrown a small Watt Street premises, which previously served as military offices during the days of the penal-colony, and moved west in parallel with large-scale industrial expansion.
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Builders put the finishing touches on Civic Theatre as work progressed on City Hall’s clocktower.
“Today we’re celebrating the 90th birthdays of two jewels in the City’s architectural crown in Civic Theatre and City Hall,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said from Wheeler Place, a newly opened street back in 1929 between Hunter and King.
“Ninety years ago a great weeklong celebration kicked off in Newcastle to mark a development that shaped the City’s Civic Precinct. As well as the two grand openings, bands played for the community in King Edward Park, other entertainment featured a soccer tournament, competitive woodchop, surf carnival and aerial pageant at District Park, while a new floating dock was launched on the harbour.
“It’s hard to imagine those days of British pomp and pageantry, but the sense of civic pride associated with the two openings, and their city-making significance, leaps off the pages of news reports from that week.
City of Newcastle Manager Civic Services Manager with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Manager Civic Theatre Leonie Wallace cutting the 90th birthday cake.
The centrepiece of the “Civic Week” festivities was the theatre opening on the night of Thursday 12 December and City Hall two days later by NSW’s British Governor Sir Dudley de Chair, who arrived resplendent in white admiralty regalia.
“I congratulate you all upon your enterprise and achievement in the erection of this magnificent and spacious Town Hall, which is to play so important a part in the lives of the people of your city,” said the Governor in his speech on City Hall’s steps Saturday afternoon.
“This great building cannot but have an elevating and inspiring influence in every branch of life and labor in your city, and its erection will always stand as a monument to the foresight, public spiritedness and progressive ideals of your civic councillors.”
City Hall under construction.
Memorial lights dedicated to the founder of the Civic Block, Alderman Morris Light, were unveiled outside Town Hall, as were portraits of the City’s first Mayor, James Hannell.
The Civic Theatre, described by the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate as one of the “finest theatres in the Commonwealth”, was “a scene of magnificence” for the Thursday night opening, as guests gathered to enjoy entertainment on a cutting-edge movie screen.
The great racehorse Phar Lap featured in a screening of that year’s Melbourne Cup followed by a recorded oration from then-Prime Minister James Scullin and the romantic drama Behind That Curtain, the “most thrilling Talkie Ever Made” according to the official opening night program.
It was like “a palace in a book of fairy tales”, dutifully reported the local newspaper, filled with “a happy, well-dressed crowd, representatives of every form of Newcastle endeavour” who “witnessed the opening of a theatre glowing with soft lights exquisitely blended, revealing each beautiful feature.”
Civic Theatre under construction.
Notable billings in the Civic Theatre’s long history include The Robe in 1954, the first film shot in widescreen Cinemascope; Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats The Musical in 1989, legendary British rock band Oasis in 2002 and local rock gods Silverchair in 2003.
The Civic Theatre is still the hub of live performance in Newcastle and tomorrow’s anniversary evening will double as the 2020 season launch, now an annual event.
Pages from a souvenir brochure printed for Civic Theatre’s opening.
DRUG AMNESTY BINS FOR MUSIC FESTIVALS
Music festivalgoers will have a chance to discard illegal drugs into amnesty bins without fear of prosecution or penalty as part of the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to reduce drug-related deaths and injuries.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the measure formed a key part of the NSW Government’s response to the Deputy Coroner’s recommendations following her inquest into the deaths of six patrons at NSW music festivals.
“The recent deaths at music festivals are tragic reminders of the dangers of illegal drugs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We will continue to send the strong message that drugs can and do kill.
“Amnesty bins will provide a quick and easy way for music festivalgoers to discard their drugs – no questions asked.”
Under today’s announcement, the NSW Government will extend targeted education campaigns, improve information sharing between State agencies about the toxicology of drugs found at music festivals and will work with festival organisers to ensure they continue to improve the health services being provided at their events.
Minister for Police David Elliott said the Government has been working closely with NSW Police to improve safety at music festivals.
“We want people to use these amnesty bins for illegal drugs and enjoy their time at music festivals,” Mr Elliott said.
“The bins give an opportunity to discard dangerous substances without fear of prosecution.”
NSW Health has also released updated Guidelines for Music Festival Event Organisers which support the delivery of safer music festivals. These were developed in consultation with key stakeholders and health experts.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said combining illicit drugs with hot weather and cramped festival conditions can be a deadly mix.
“Our health professionals do an outstanding job at music festivals to keep people safe and provide valuable information to festivalgoers about the dangers of drugs,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Amnesty bins are another tool in our arsenal as we fight the scourge of illicit drugs.”
The NSW Government will work with NSW Police, health experts, music festival organisers and other key stakeholders regarding the design and operation of the amnesty bins.
Today’s announcement builds on the NSW Government’s existing measures to keep people safe at music festivals, which includes:
- The introduction of an offence that holds drug dealers responsible for deaths they cause;
- A more stringent licensing regime that requires high-risk music festivals to prepare safety management plans;
- A trial of on-the-spot fines for drug possession at music festivals; and
- The ongoing Special Commission of Inquiry into the drug ice.
The NSW Government’s full response to the Deputy Coroner’s recommendations can be found here:https://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/lsb/Pages/coronial-recommendations.aspx
NEW SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOMES IN PIPELINE FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
The revitalisation of the old Telopea housing estate is a step closer, with Frasers Property and Hume Community Housing announced as the successful proponents to transform the ageing 13 hectare site into a new, integrated community and vibrant town centre.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said Telopea would be transformed into a master-planned neighbourhood with new community amenities, more transport links, a mixture of high quality housing types and improved access to health, education, and jobs.
“The renewal of the Telopea site will set the standard for our new integrated communities under the Communities Plus program, delivering more social, private and affordable housing, in partnership with the private sector,” Mrs Pavey said.
“The proposal will see the current site redeveloped to create about 4500 homes, with a target of 1000 new, fit-for-purpose affordable and social housing dwellings.”
Mrs Pavey said Hume Community Housing will work with public housing tenants to break the cycle of disadvantage by providing access to education, training opportunities and wrap-around support.
“We are increasing the supply of social and affordable housing but at the same time we’re focused on providing opportunities to our tenants to create an aspiration to leave social housing.”
Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee, said the partnership with the NSW government, Frasers Property and Hume Community Housing provided great opportunities for the community.
“This project will rejuvenate Telopea and has a focus on connecting people, ranging from enhanced mobility, community service access, creating places of congregation, and enhancing economic opportunities that arise when a community has the confidence to pursue its aspirations,” Dr Lee said.
Fraser Property AHL CEO, Rod Fehring, said forging long-term partnerships between Government, the private sector and specialist community housing providers was essential to extract the benefits of combining agile capital with place-making capabilities to build a balanced and resilient sense of belonging for residents.
Hume Community Housing CEO, Nicola Lemon, said: “The partnership brings together a shared passion for delivering and supporting a vibrant and welcoming Telopea of- the- future.”
The NSW Government’s $22 billion Communities Plus program has a target of 23,000 new and replacement social housing dwellings, 500 affordable housing units and up to 40,000 private homes across the greater Sydney, Illawarra, Newcastle and North coastal areas.
Man charged with alleged firearms offences – Raymond Terrace
A man will face court today after police allegedly located a loaded firearm in his vehicle in the state’s Hunter region.
About 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 10 December 2019), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a vehicle on Brown Street, Raymond Terrace and spoke with the driver – a 25-year-old woman.
Police then spoke with a 28-year-old male passenger and arrested him in relation to an outstanding arrest warrant.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized a shortened rifle and ammunition.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with an outstanding warrant as well as several firearms offences, including possess shortened firearm without permit, possess loaded firearm in public place, not keep firearm safely and goods in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 11 December 2019).
Man charged with alleged firearms offences – Raymond Terrace
A man will face court today after police allegedly located a loaded firearm in his vehicle in the state’s Hunter region.
About 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 10 December 2019), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a vehicle on Brown Street, Raymond Terrace and spoke with the driver – a 25-year-old woman.
Police then spoke with a 28-year-old male passenger and arrested him in relation to an outstanding arrest warrant.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized a shortened rifle and ammunition.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with an outstanding warrant as well as several firearms offences, including possess shortened firearm without permit, possess loaded firearm in public place, not keep firearm safely and goods in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 11 December 2019).
Religious Discrimination Second Exposure Draft
The second exposure draft of the Liberals’ Religious Discrimination legislation has made already bad legislation even worse.
“The Liberals have massively widened the scope of the legislation, which will increase the number of organisations that will be able to discriminate,” Greens Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“The legislation maintains its undermining of state-based protections against discrimination, including Tasmania’s nation-leading laws.”
“This whole process has always been a smokescreen for bigotry.”
Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson Janet Rice said:
“This has been a sham of a process to appease the far-right of Morrison’s party, letting them chip away at the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and other minorities.”
“The Attorney General’s second exposure draft remains a Trojan horse for hate.”
“Despite the concerns expressed by a raft of legal, faith and LGBTIQ+ organisations, it appears that the bill still includes the potential for a manager to tell their employees, ‘your homosexual lifestyle is a sin’, or a counsellor to encourage their client to pray for healing of their ‘sexual brokeness’.”
“This kind of bigotry cannot stand. Any Bill that comes to the parliament must ensure all Australians are treated equally.”
“The bill should only act as a shield for people of faith, not as a sword to be used against other minority groups.”