People from Nelson Bay will have access to the training they need to get a job and get ahead with the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government announcing a new local TAFE campus will be built.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian was today joined by Liberal Candidate for Port Stephens Jaimie Abbott for the announcement.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are driving a massive expansion of TAFE’s footprint across rural and regional NSW, with Nelson Bay set to benefit from a new and state-of-the-art TAFE campus,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“TAFE campuses are the beating hearts of our regional communities and provide access to the education and training people need to get a job and get ahead.
“Today’s announcement is yet another significant investment in the future of rural and regional communities.”
Ms Abbott said she was delighted locals in Nelson Bay would soon have access to their very own TAFE.
“This announcement is an absolute game-changer for the people of Nelson Bay who until now have never had a major TAFE presence in town,” Ms Abbott said.
“For the first time ever people in Nelson Bay will be able to study a broad range of courses at TAFE locally, improving their ability to get the education they need to get a job and get ahead.
“As it stands many locals have to travel for an hour to access the courses they wish to study at either Maitland or Newcastle.
“This is about giving people the chance to study right here locally and removing barriers to education and training.”
The NSW Liberals & Nationals have already delivered 14 new or upgraded TAFE campuses in regional NSW since 2017. These campuses have on average tripled course offerings (compared to an existing facility) and more than doubled student enrolments.
NEWCASTLE LIGHT RAIL MAKES HISTORY
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today joined some lucky Novocastrians on an historic journey along the completed Newcastle Light Rail line.
Ms Berejiklian said the gamechanging light rail line is a turning point in the city’s revitalisation and it is only possible because of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong economic management.
“Newcastle Light Rail has been delivered on time and on budget and I am thrilled regular commuter services will start on Monday,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to delivering for Newcastle and has invested more than $650 million into the city.
“Thanks to this investment the CBD has now been opened up to the waterfront, there is a record number of cranes in the sky and light rail down Hunter Street.”
Mr Constance said the NSW Government’s investment in Newcastle has created an environment which will help the city to thrive into the future.
“Newcastle Light Rail was built in 12 months and after four months of testing and commissioning it is now taking its first passengers,” Mr Constance said.
“This project has revitalised Newcastle and encouraged more people to look to live and work in the city centre.”
Liberal candidate for Newcastle Blake Keating said Newcastle Light Rail is a world-class transport system that will help Newcastle reach its potential.
“I encourage the Greater Newcastle community to come along to the Newcastle Light Rail open day this Sunday to take a free ride and celebrate the completion of this great project,” Mr Keating said.
Indigenous Education Boost
Australia’s Closing the Gap targets will be redeveloped in partnership with Indigenous Australians for the first time with a direct focus on education as the key to unlocking the potential of this and future generations.
The Prime Minister said the 2019 Closing the Gap report highlighted successes across the country but that refreshed targets were an opportunity to work together to accelerate progress.
“Today is a day to celebrate what so many people have helped achieve, but we cannot hide from the fact that on average at the moment Indigenous children do not have the same opportunities as other children growing up in our country,” the Prime Minister said.
“With only two of the seven Closing the Gap targets on track to be met, it’s time to refresh what we’re doing.
“There is hope. Together there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
“The original targets were well intentioned but developed without the collaboration and accountability for states and territories and without input from Indigenous Australians.
“We want a Closing the Gap framework that’s developed alongside Indigenous Australians with targets based on science. That’s why the partnership we took and agreed through the Council of Australian Governments late last year is so important. These things take time, and we are committed to getting it right.”
The Prime Minister said his focus through the refreshed targets would be on education as the key area that can drive generational change, kickstarted by a funding boost for a suite of Indigenous education initiatives.
“Education is the key to skills, to better health, to jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our new suite of initiatives builds on the record investments we’re making from the high chair to higher education to ensure the next generation of Indigenous businessmen and women, academics and workers get the education they need to have a foundation for a successful life.”
The package includes:
- Teacher boost for remote Australia – Removing all or part of the HELP debt for 3,100 students to encourage more teachers to work and stay working in very remote areas
- Getting kids to school – Working community by community and school by school to invest $5 million in remote and very remote areas for projects that support and promote school attendance
Youth Education Package – $200 million extra support to give more Indigenous students the support and mentoring they need through their secondary studies
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion said the new education measures were designed to build on the success of existing Government policies developed in partnership with local communities.
“We’ve seen huge success in working with Indigenous communities and organisations over the last five years, to deliver real and meaningful changes. The Indigenous Advancement Strategy has been able to double the number of Indigenous organisations delivering services to Indigenous people since its establishment in 2013,” Minister Scullion said.
“At the heart of our agenda has been getting children to attend school and stay at school. I’m pleased that with the Prime Ministers announcement today, we will be able to further increase our efforts and investment with remote communities.”
Minister Scullion also announced an additional commitment to the Indigenous business sector with the Indigenous Procurement Policy 2.0.
“The Indigenous Procurement Policy, better known as the IPP, has supercharged growth in the Indigenous business sector with 1,473 Indigenous businesses delivering 11,933 contracts worth over $1.83 billion since its establishment in 2015. This is a spectacular increase from the 30 Indigenous businesses winning just $6.2 million in contracts in 2012-13,” Minister Scullion said.
“So from 1 July 2019, the Indigenous Procurement Policy 2.0 will introduce a target of 3 per cent of the value of Commonwealth contracts are to be awarded to Indigenous businesses within a decade, adding to the existing IPP target that 3 per cent of the number of Commonwealth contracts are to go to Indigenous businesses.
“We are investing further in what we know, what the data shows and what Indigenous communities tell us, works.”
Greens Welcome Cosmetic Animal Testing Ban and Vow to Keep Up Pressure on the Government
Australian Greens Senator for NSW and Spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed a ban on animal testing for cosmetics. A full ban is conditional on the Government enacting further measures outside Parliament, and Senator Faruqi has vowed to keep the pressure on the Government. The Greens have been at the forefront of pushing for a ban on cruel cosmetics for years, including introducing the first bill to ban animal tested cosmetics in 2014.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This is a great step forward for animals. Animals shouldn’t suffer and die to test cosmetics or other ingredients. I am proud that the Greens have been at the forefront of this campaign against cruel cosmetics.
“The Government had previously tried to pass a partial ban that would not have come close to ending animal testing. Thanks to the crossbench, the opposition and the Greens standing together, we have been able to extract commitments from the Government for a full ban. The Greens will be pursuing the Government relentlessly to ensure that it follows through with its commitments.
“Australia has lagged behind the world in banning animal testing which is both cruel and completely unnecessary. People quite rightly expect that animals should not have to suffer significant pain and distress, and in many cases die, for cosmetics.
“I want to pay tribute to former Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon who introduced the first bill to ban animal testing for cosmetics and strongly pushed to protect animals from unnecessary and cruel procedures,” she concluded.
Body found in search for missing woman – Lake Macquarie
Police searching for a woman missing in the Lake Macquarie region have today located a body.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have been searching for a 37-year-old woman, who was last seen on Wednesday (13 February 2019).
About 3pm today (Friday 15 February 2019), a body was located near Dudley Bluff.
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman.
Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Serious concerns held for woman missing in Lake Macquarie
A large search is underway for a woman missing in the Lake Macquarie region as serious concerns are held for her welfare.
Ashly Bates, aged 37, was last seen on Wednesday (13 February 2019) at a home in Whitebridge.
Police were alerted when she failed to contact her family. Her mobile phone was then located by a member of the public near Dudley Bluff.
Police from Lake Macquarie Police District are conducting a large search of the area for Ashly, with assistance from PolAir and the Dog Unit.
Ashly is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 168cm tall, with dark shoulder-length hair, fair complexion and tattoos on the inside of her wrists.
She was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and pyjama pants.
Anyone who sees her or believes they know her whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.
Man wanted on outstanding warrant – Hunter region
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant in the state’s Hunter region.
Dwayne Perry, 32, is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant over an alleged stabbing on Sunday 3 February 2019.
He is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, of a slim build, with tattoos of the words ‘MAY’ on his neck and ‘Perry Brothers’ on his back, and with brown hair and blue eyes.
Dwayne Perry is believed to be frequenting the Raymond Terrace and Hunter Valley areas.
Anyone who sights Mr Perry is urged not to approach him but to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
NEWCASTLE SEAFARERS RALLY IN CANBERRA
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has joined in solidarity with the recently sacked workers from Newcastle and surrounds at rally in Canberra to save Australia’s shipping industry. The seafarers are among 80 who lost their jobs when Bluescope and BHP dumped the last two Australian-crewed coastal bulk iron ore carriers last month.
“The treatment of these hard-working seafarers has been utterly shameful – they were on the high seas thousands of miles away from home without any support or union representation when they found out they’d lost their jobs,” Ms Claydon said.
“Many of these seafarers have families and mortgages. Now they’ve been kicked in the guts, and will almost certainly be replaced by foreign workers on as little as $2 an hour. This is corporate greed at its most corrosive.”
Tighes-Hill based seafarer David Grant was in the middle of the China Sea on the MV Mariloula when the email came through to the ship saying BHP had cancelled the ship’s contract and the crew had lost their jobs.
“It came out of the blue. And it didn’t help that we were in the middle of the ocean with terrible internet so it was really hard to get any information or contact our families,” Mr Grant said.
“We took a two-year wage freeze because they said they couldn’t afford to pay us. Now, when they’re recording bumper profits, they turn around and sack Australian workers.”
Mr Grant, who had worked on the MV Mariloula for three years, said he’d love to stay working on the water.
“I’ve been on the sea for seven years and that’s what I want to continue doing. But if we keep going this way, we’re not going to have an Australian shipping industry – full stop,” Mr Grant said.
“I’d like to see a cabotage model that prioritises Australian workers with Australian conditions on Australia’s coast. You can’t bring a foreign worker to run goods by road. Why are they allowed to do it on the Blue Highway?”
Ms Claydon said the Morrison Government is totally complicit in these job losses.
“Since the Liberals came to power they have relentlessly attacked the Australian shipping industry and tried to install legislation that would encourage companies to sack their Australian crew and hire foreign workers on as little as $2 an hour,” Ms Claydon said.
“The Morrison Government needs to stop granting temporary licences for routes like the ones travelled by the MV Mariloula and MV Lowlands Brilliance that are clearly permanent. This is a blatant abuse of the intent of the legislation.”
Ms Claydon said the revitalisation of Australia’s shipping industry would be a core priority for Labor if it wins Government.
“Aussie seafarers are among the best in the world but the Liberal Government has worked tirelessly to do everything they can to undermine these jobs.
“As the largest island nation, a strong national shipping industry is critical to the environment, to our skills capability and to our national security.”
MORE BENEFITS EXTENDED TO MORE NSW SENIORS
For the first time all NSW residents over the age of 60 will be eligible to receive discounts on products and services offered by businesses through the NSW Seniors Card program.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Ageing Tanya Davies today announced the new Senior Savers Cardwould be available from July 1, for senior residents who are not yet eligible for the existing Seniors Card.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have worked hard to deliver more savings than ever before to our Seniors Card members and this new card will mean no one is left out,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Seniors give so much to our communities and every single senior across NSW deserves some relief from the growing costs of everyday living.”
The NSW Seniors Card will continue to provide existing benefits to its 1.6 million members on anything from mechanics, to hairdressers, to phone bills, while Senior Savers Card holders will have access to the same discounts and deals with the exclusion of NSW Government rebates and transport concessions.
Mrs Davies said that welcoming seniors into the program who still work more than 20 hours a week made sense.
“We understand a lot of people are working longer and retiring later. The introduction of the Senior Savers Card is a way for the NSW Government to give back to these individuals for their tireless contribution,” Mrs Davies said.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to reducing the cost of living for seniors through the Seniors Card program.”
In the past 12 months, members have enjoyed increased benefits from an additional 1800 businesses and a major supermarket deal. More than 7300 businesses currently offer savings to members statewide, a 32 per cent increase on this time last year.
Ms Berejiklian also announced those with a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card will not face any fare cap increases under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“The current Gold Opal card cap will stay the same across the Opal network, meaning customers can enjoy unlimited travel across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands for just $2.50 a day,” she said.
For more information about the NSW Seniors Card program, visit www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au.
DALEY IGNORES THE EXPERTS AND SYDNEY COMMUTERS SUFFER
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance condemned Labor’s plan to cancel the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro upgrade following revelations today that Infrastructure Australia has ranked the project as a “high priority” for NSW.
Labor’s cancellation plan will stop rail improvements across the Sydney Trains network, affecting hundreds of thousands of people on seven different lines.
“This is yet more evidence that Labor’s plan to axe infrastructure projects will take NSW backwards.
“Labor’s only infrastructure plan is to cancel projects. Under Labor there would be no F6 Extension, no Western Harbour Tunnel and no Sydenham to Bankstown Metro rail upgrade,” Mr Constance said.
“Labor’s reckless decision to axe Sydney Metro Southwest will deny hundreds of thousands of commuters from Sydney’s South, Southwest, South Coast and Southern Highlands faster and more frequent services.
The desperately needed upgrade, which the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver, removes the bottleneck that prevents increases in services on the T1 Western Line, the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line and T8 Airport and South Line.
“We have seen a huge uplift in the number of train services across the train network under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government, with record levels of investment in service numbers and new trains to deliver them,” Mr Constance said.
“Labor’s recent metro announcement on Monday said they would make all investment decisions based on the advice of Infrastructure NSW and Infrastructure Australia. Yet Labor is already ignoring the experts by pushing ahead with their commitment to cancelling the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro upgrade.
“Our rail network is over 100 years old and it needs continued investment to meet the needs of the people of NSW.
“That is why the Metro City and Southwest project is a critical investment allowing us to upgrade services across the network. By cancelling this project, Labor is ruling out service upgrades for decades to come.
“The critical need for this project is further justified in Infrastructure Australia’s latest report released today, which lists Sydney Metro City and Southwest in the top three high priority projects.
“Michael Daley is a L-plate leader of a L-plate party which isn’t listening to the needs of the state or its people.”
Labor’s plan to cancel the Metro City and Southwest project would see:
- T8 Airport & South Line: up to 48 fewer services across the peaks;
- T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line and South Coast Line: up to 108 fewer services across the peaks;
- T2 Inner West & Leppington Line: up to 72 fewer services across the peaks;
- T3 Bankstown Line: up to 72 fewer services across the peaks; and
- T1 Western Line and Blue Mountains Line: up to 72 fewer services across the peaks