The Morrison Government has failed its own deadline on integrity with the first anniversary of its commitment to a national integrity commission passing with no action.
A year ago today the Prime Minister and Attorney-General announced they would establish a Commonwealth Integrity Commission.
At that time, Mr Morrison insisted work had already been underway on the proposal “since January” – meaning it’s now been almost two years since the Government claims to have started working on a Commonwealth Integrity Commission.
In September, Mr Porter promised that draft legislation would be produced “well within” 12 months of the December 2018 announcement.
Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Leader of the Opposition) (14:55): My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. When will the Prime Minister introduce legislation into this parliament to establish the Commonwealth Integrity Commission that he promised last year?
Mr PORTER (Pearce—Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Leader of the House) (14:56): We have been through this a number of times and the reality is that we have taken time and care. A draft is well advanced. That will go out to public consultation. Of course, it was the case that members opposite said that when they came into government they would take 12 full months of consultation before presenting a draft. We’ll do it well within that time.
House of Representatives, 11 September 2019
Given the scandals which continue to rock this tired third-term Government, it’s clear why the Prime Minister and Attorney-General are not in the least bit interested in integrity.
Despite overwhelming public support for a national integrity commission the Government had to be dragged to supporting one, kicking and screaming all the way.
Unlike the Morrison Government, Labor believes tackling corruption and promoting integrity is essential to restoring public trust in government.
Author: admin
Boost for Australia’s Aerial Firefighting Capability
The Australian Government will boost the country’s aerial firefighting capabilities by $11 million.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this additional funding would see more specialised firefighting aircraft take to the skies to keep Australians safe this summer.
“In response to the request from our national fire chiefs we’re backing our firefighters and our water bombing fleet with an extra $11 million boost. That’s on top of the $15 million we already deliver each year for aerial firefighting to tackle what has already been a devastating fire season,” the Prime Minister said.
“Each bushfire season we take the advice of the states and experts about what we can do to keep Australians safe. As we continue into this hot and dry bushfire season we want to ensure our fireys get the aerial support they need and have asked for.
“We saw how useful our extra support was last season which is why we’re boosting it again this year.
“As we’ve said all along, my government stands ready to deliver whatever further assistance is asked of us by the states as they battle these devastating fires.”
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the additional funding announced today would enable annual lease periods of firefighting aircraft to be extended and ensures the right mix and type of aircraft are available to protect communities this summer.
“We recognise the vital role that aerial firefighting plays in protecting communities, essential infrastructure, and environmental values, as well as supporting firefighters on the ground,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Once again, we owe a debt of gratitude to our career and volunteer emergency services who are out there protecting our communities in the face of very difficult conditions.”
“It is clear we are facing longer and more intense seasons, and as this summer has only just begun we have already seen devastating fires tear through communities right across the country.
“Sadly, bushfires are part of the Australian landscape and while we cannot always prevent them, we can prepare for them and ensure that we are responding in the most effective way.”
The National Aerial Firefighting Centre has more than 140 aircraft at its disposal to be directed to wherever they are needed. These aircraft, contracted on behalf of state and territory governments, are supplemented by additional state owned, and state contracted aircraft and other aircraft hired to meet peak demand across Australia. In total more than 500 aircraft, provided by over 150 operators, are available for firefighting across Australia.
CREATING A SAFER STATE FOR OUR CHILDREN
Strengthened reporting, registration and data-sharing schemes targeting child abuse and record investments into support services for survivors and at-risk children are all helping to keep our kids safe according to a report released today.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said NSW’s second annual report card provides an update on the Government’s actions in 2019 to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
“Protecting children from abuse and improving access to justice for survivors are the bedrock of the NSW Government’s response to the findings of the Royal Commission,” Mr Speakman said.
“We are rolling out the Government’s $127 million package of reforms responding to the Royal Commission, which will secure a safer future for our children and ensure we are doing everything we can to stop the horrors of the past being repeated.”
Highlights of the report include:
- a NSW-led national initiative enabling child protection workers to identify whether a child or person of interest may be known in another state or territory
- landmark legislative reforms to strengthen the child protection reportable conduct scheme and expand mandatory reporter groups
- better protection and support for children in out-of-home care
- allocation of funding for community-based support services
- expanded professional education and training about child safety
- increased protections for young people in youth justice centres, and
- significant improvements to specialist sexual assault services.
“While we have made great strides in creating safer environments for our children and young people, there is still much more work to be done,” Mr Ward said.
“We will continue to work with government and non-government organisations to build on our progress and make sure the framework for protecting children is as strong as possible.”
The annual progress report for the NSW Government’s response to the Royal Commission can be accessed at https://bit.ly/2LMCDc9.
STRONG AND STABLE: NSW BUDGET ON TRACK TO DELIVER SOLID SURPLUS
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has today released the NSW Half-Yearly Review (HYR), confirming the continued strength of the State’s Budget despite challenges such as the worst drought on record, recent volatility in the housing market and lower household consumption.
The HYR forecasts a surplus of $702 million in 2019-20, down $314 million since the 2019-20 Budget, with average surpluses increasing to $1.9 billion over the four years to 2022-23 (up from $1.7 billion), bolstered by early signs of an improvement in the housing market.
“The importance of maintaining Budget surpluses lies in the simple fact that it enables us to provide critical support to those in need, such as farmers and regional communities affected by this devastating drought,” Mr Perrottet said. “We have been able to respond quickly to these and other challenges while continuing to fund productive infrastructure, thanks to our strong financial position.”
Since the June Budget, additional measures to support drought affected communities and ease financial pressures have been provided, taking the Government’s total for drought support to around $2 billion.
The NSW Government allocated $25 million last month to help people impacted by bushfires to rebuild their communities. It has also provided a further $48.2 million in partnership with the Federal Government. Given the bushfire season still has a long way to go, Mr Perrottet said the Government remained ready to provide more funding.
While the ongoing drought is impacting the economy, growth is expected to be at 1¾ per cent in 2019-20 but will accelerate to 2½ per cent in 2021-22. This is supported by a record four-year infrastructure spend of $97.3 billion.
“NSW is the engine room of Australia and we’ve reinforced the economy with our record investments in public infrastructure, creating a jobs boom right across the State and ensuring we remain the strongest in the nation,” Mr Perrottet said.
Key Highlights of the HYR:
- A Budget surplus of $702 million projected in 2019-20
- Transfer duty revenue is forecast at $7.5 billion in 2019-20 (up from $6.9 billion) as the housing sector improves
- The record $93 billion infrastructure program announced in the June Budget has increased with new commitments to a new record of $97.3 billion
- Public investment in infrastructure is supporting tens of thousands of jobs and adding 1/2 a percentage point to economic growth on average over two years
- The NSW Generations Fund (NGF) has outperformed expectations, growing to $10.9 billion as at end June 2019 and is on track to nearly triple by 2030
- Both Moody’s and S&P Global have affirmed the State’s triple-A credit rating since the Budget, underscoring the State’s strong fiscal management.
Mr Perrottet said ongoing weakness in the national economy was playing out in NSW, with another drop in GST receipts forecast as consumption softens.
Mr Perrottet said while the Budget was robust enough to manage the adjustment, the reduction demonstrated the need for reform.
Since June, the NSW Government has launched a number of reform initiatives including the NSW Review of Federal Financial Relations, the NSW 2040 Economic Blueprint and Global NSW, the State’s revitalised trade and investment strategy.
“When times are tough, it’s good to know we’ve got the capacity to act quickly and make a difference and yet still keep our economy growing,” said Mr Perrottet. “We will continue to deliver fiscal stability to look after the best interests of the people of NSW.”
JUNEE PRISON EXPANSION OFFICIALLY OPENS
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.
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