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NEWCASTLE CLIMATE CHANGE SOLIDARITY SIT DOWN

I recognise the commitment and determination of those taking part in the climate change ‘Solidarity Sit Down’ in Newcastle today to highlight the Morrison government’s unconscionable lack of action on climate change.
If there ever was time to act on climate change, it is now, as we witness some of the most severe and widespread fires Australia has ever seen.
While no weather event can be attributed directly to climate change, there can be no question that it is feeding longer, more intense weather patterns and an increased likelihood of natural disasters.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about scientific reality. Climate change is real and it requires real leadership to address it.
The Morrison Government urgently needs to get over its pathological aversion to science and take meaningful action on climate change.
Regretfully, the Liberals have not only failed to deliver an energy policy and set a wholly inadequate emissions reduction target, but they’ve also set about trying to axe every mechanism put in place by the former Labor Government to assist.
Labor went to the last election with a strong plan to reduce emissions and meet Australia’s climate targets. Regretfully, we weren’t able to form Government.
While Labor remains deeply committed to real action on climate change, it’s the Morrison Government that must ensure that Australia does its share to avoid a global climate catastrophe.
I encourage students and activists to keep putting strong pressure on the Morrison Government to act in the interests of the planet and future generations, as I and my Labor colleagues will continue to do.

Man in court over attempted sexual assault of girl and child exploitation offences

A man will re-appear in court today charged over child exploitation offences and the attempted sexual assault of a young girl in the Hunter region.
In June this year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a man attempted to sexually assault a young girl known to him.
The investigation was assisted by the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NSW-JACET), which comprises of members from the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force.
Following extensive inquiries by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad and NSW-JACET, detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at a home in the Hunter region about 1pm on Saturday (30 November 2019).
Shortly after the arrest, police searched two homes in the Hunter region, where detectives seized several electronic storage devices.
The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with attempt sexual intercourse with child under 10 years (DV x5), use carriage service transmit/publish/promote child porn (x2), possess/control child abuse material using carriage service, produce child abuse material, disseminate child abuse material, and possess child abuse material.
Police will allege in court that the man attempted to sexually assault the girl at a home on a number of occasions between December 2018 and June 2019.
It will be further alleged that the man produced, sent and received child abuse material online.
He was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Monday 2 December 2019).
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

Girl dies after being found in family car – Tanilba Bay

A girl has died in hospital after being found in a vehicle at Port Stephens last week.
Emergency services were called to a home at Tanilba Bay about 4.30pm on Tuesday (26 November 2019), after reports a five-year-old girl was found unresponsive inside a car parked in the driveway of the home.
The girl was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
She died early this morning (Sunday 1 December 2019).
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Fatal fail to stop pedestrian crash – Maitland

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward after a pedestrian was killed and the vehicle involved failed to stop at Maitland last night.
About 11.30pm (Saturday 30 November 2019), emergency services were called to Flat Road, near the intersection of Paterson Road, Bolwarra, following reports of a crash.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found a male pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle.
The 62-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The vehicle left the crash scene and was last seen travelling south on Paterson Road.
Officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit attended and examined the crime scene.
Investigators are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have dashcam vision or information about the vehicle involved to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Labor Statement – Vale Clive James

Clive James was a giant of Australian letters, and one of the greatest poets and intellectuals this country has ever produced.
Clive passed away at his home in the UK at the weekend after a long illness, aged 80.
The “Kid from Kogarah” started his working life as an assistant editor at The Sydney Morning Herald before forging a 50-year career as a scholar, poet, lyricist, essayist, novelist, memoirist, critic and broadcaster.
At home and abroad, he entertained and moved readers and TV audiences with his profound and provocative insights, acerbic wit and boundless sense of humour.
“Common sense and a sense of humour are the same thing, moving at different speeds,” Clive once wrote. “A sense of humour is just common sense, dancing. Those who lack humour are without judgement and should be trusted with nothing.”
Despite all the impressive achievements that made him a household name in Australia and the UK, he never lost his connection to his working-class roots or his commitment to a “fair go for the workers”.
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992 and that was upgraded to Officer level in 2013. He was similarly honoured in the UK for his services to literature and the media.
As Clive once said: “Fiction is life with the dull bits left out”.
Clive’s life was certainly not dull – but the world without him is a less intelligent and less colourful place.
Vale Clive James.

GOVERNMENT STAFF CAP HURTING NEWCASTLE CSIRO

The important work of CSIRO’s flagship Energy Centre in Newcastle is being compromised by an arbitrary staffing cap.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon and Shadow Minister for Science, Employment and Industry Brendan O’Connor met with Newcastle representatives from the CSIRO Staffing Association today to discuss the issue.
“Labor is concerned that the Morrison Government’s cap on public sector staffing numbers is hurting the CSIRO and undermining its role in advancing science and innovation,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The CSIRO staff association recently made a submission to a Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry outlining the impact of the 5,193 person cap on full time staff on Australia’s scientific capability.
“The submission highlights reports of increased use of external contractors, which is putting a number of major projects at risk and is sidestepping secure local jobs.”
Ms Claydon said, “The Government’s irrational Average Staffing Level policy has capped staff numbers at 2006/7 numbers. This has essentially created a staffing freeze that is forcing CSIRO researchers to fill vacancies with external contractors at a premium price.
“Staff have told me that job vacancies are being placed on hold even if projects have private external funding.
“Not only does this mean that taxpayers are spending more to get less, this also undermines the pay and conditions of existing workers and locking a generation of STEM graduates out of long-term scientific work.”
Mr O’Connor said research and innovation like that at the CSIRO is under threat under the Morrison Government which is overseeing an overall downward trend in R&D under their watch.
“This is the world-class institution that invented wifi, plastic bank notes and Aerogard, to name just a few,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It’s foolish to shackle Australia’s top scientists from making new important breakthroughs.
“The Morrison Government has no regard for scientists and this staffing cap is a clear continuation of their war on science.”

Fatal microlight aircraft crash near Maitland

An investigation is underway after two men died in a microlight aircraft crash in the state’s Hunter region today.
About 12.20pm (Saturday 30 November 2019), emergency services were called to a property on Paterson Road, Woodville, about 10km north of Maitland, following reports of an aircraft crash.
Upon arrival, a wreckage and the bodies of a 44-year-old man and a 71-year-old man were located.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced and as inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Maitland Police Station on (02) 4934 0311 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Sports Aviation Federation of Australia is assisting with the investigation.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, DETECTION: DRIVERS BEWARE

Drivers using a mobile phone illegally risk being caught on camera when the NSW Government’s mobile phone detection cameras switch on this Sunday 1 December.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said the world-first safety technology will target illegal mobile phone use by drivers through fixed and mobile trailer-mounted cameras.
“The NSW Government is serious about reducing our state’s road toll and rolling out mobile phone detection cameras is another way we will do this,” Mr Constance said.
“As we enter a notoriously dangerous time of the year on our roads I want all drivers to know that if you use your mobile phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle in NSW you will have a greater chance of being caught, anywhere at anytime.
“Some people have not got the message about using their phones legally and safely. If they think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk without consequence they are in for a rude shock.”
For the first three months, drivers caught by a mobile phone detection camera will receive a warning letter. After that drivers will cop a $344 fine, or a $457 fine in a school zone, and five demerit points – 10 during double demerit periods.
Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole said the program will progressively expand to perform an estimated 135 million vehicle checks on NSW roads each year by 2023.
“The decision to pick up your phone can have fatal consequences. Whether you’re driving on a major highway or an isolated road in the bush, there’s no excuse for using your phone illegally – and from Sunday, there’s a much greater chance of getting nabbed,” Mr Toole said.
Executive Director of Transport for NSW’s Centre for Road Safety Bernard Carlon said a trial of cameras earlier this year caught over 100,000 drivers illegally using a phone.
“Independent modelling has shown these cameras could prevent around 100 fatal and serious injury crashes over five years,” Mr Carlon said. “There is strong community support for more enforcement, with 80 per cent of people surveyed supporting use of detection cameras to stop illegal mobile phone use.”
NSW Police will continue to enforce illegal mobile phone use and issue infringements as part of regular operations during the warning phase of the camera program.
For more details on the program visit http://mobilephoneroadrules.com.au.

NATION UNITES ON DEFAMATION REFORM

The NSW-led process to update national defamation laws reached a new milestone today, with Australia’s Attorneys-General agreeing to release draft reforms for public consultation.
NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman encouraged anyone interested in this vital area of law to  have their say.
“These draft amendments are a major step towards modernising Australia’s defamation laws, protecting responsible public interest journalism and addressing the growing volume of trivial matters proceeding to court ,” Mr Speakman said.
The draft amendment provisions were developed following a robust national consultation process that took place throughout 2019.
The Council of Attorneys-General is releasing the draft amendments for further public consultation, giving interested parties another opportunity to provide feedback before reforms are finalised and Parliament-ready legislation is agreed in the middle of next year.
The proposed reforms contain a new single publication rule, meaning the limitation period for bringing an action will commence from the date material is uploaded rather than restarting each time it is downloaded.
The reforms also include a serious harm threshold, defence of responsible publication on a matter of public interest and mandatory pre-litigation processes to encourage settlement of disputes out of court.
“The reforms will ensure defamation law does not place unreasonable limits on free speech, address the increasing number of frivolous defamation matters and modernise provisions to apply better to digital publications,” Mr Speakman said.
The draft amendment provisions will be available to read via www.justice.nsw.gov.au/defamationreview.
People and organisations wishing to provide feedback on the draft amendment provisions can send submissions to defamationreview@justice.nsw.gov.au. Submissions close on Friday, 24 January 2020.
A second stage of the reform process will start next year, including examining whether or not digital platforms should bear responsibility for defamatory material published on their sites among other matters.