The Minister for Mining and Resources Matt Canavan has been exposed for lying about any oil from the Great Australian Bight staying in Australia.
“While Matt Canavan has told the public Equinor would keep oil in Australia, the company has denied it. Equinor’s polite rebuke of the Minister’s comments on ABC this morning expose the flimsy spin from the Morrison Government,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“While the Norwegian oil giant lobbies for approval to drill in the Great Australian Bight, it is clear that South Australians are set to gain very little if the project were to go ahead. The workforce will be imported, the oil exported and the profits sent overseas. Meanwhile, South Australia’s tourism and fishing industries are all put at risk.
“This project is about profit for a Norwegian oil giant, pure and simple. Equinor’s own oil spill modelling shows our state’s economy would take an $86 billion hit. It would decimate our thriving tourism and fisheries industries.
“At a time when we know we must transition away from fossil fuels to arrest climate change, the costs of opening up a new oilfield to the planet are too great. Foreign profits cannot be put before people and the environment.
“The Greens will continue fighting this project, and pursuing World Heritage protection for the Bight. We back our tens of thousands of jobs in tourism and fisheries, and our beautiful Kangaroo Island over big oil any day.”
GOVERNMENT MUST ACT ON SUPERANNUATION THEFT
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has called on the Morrison Government to match Labor’s tough superannuation policy after it was revealed that Newcastle-Hunter workers are losing out on almost $150 million in superannuation payments each year.
Ms Claydon said she was appalled but not surprised that one-third of Hunter-Newcastle workers were owed superannuation payments totalling $146 million.
“Too often I get calls from Novocastrians at their wits end after being short-changed thousands of dollars that is rightfully theirs,” Ms Claydon said.
“Even when the ATO officially confirms the money is owed, workers can’t chase this money as the debt isn’t technically owed to them.”
Ms Claydon called on the Government to match Labor’s policy to get tough on dodgy bosses and make it easier for employees to recover unpaid super.
“Unpaid super is theft, pure and simple. It’s about time the law treated it as such,” Ms Claydon said.
“Under Labor, employers who underpay superannuation to their staff because of a false or misleading statement will be fined an amount equal to 100 per cent of the unpaid super. Employers who fail to tell the ATO about unpaid superannuation when asked will face fines equal to 300 per cent of the unpaid super.
“Labor will also enshrine a right to superannuation within the National Employment Standards, giving workers the power to pursue their unpaid superannuation through the Fair Work Commission or Federal Court.”
Ms Claydon said there needs to be more serious repercussions for employers that shortchange workers on super.
“At the moment, too many employers are withholding superannuation as a means of cashflow management. That’s an appalling business practice, but there’s not enough incentive to do the right thing,” Ms Claydon said.
“Good employers who pay their workers’ superannuation entitlements are at a competitive disadvantage to the bosses who shirk the rules.”
Ms Claydon said the Morrison Government’s failure to get tough on unpaid superannuation was yet another betrayal of Australian workers.
“Australian workers are already being hit by record low wage growth, rising costs and a decline in the standard of living,” Ms Claydon said.
“It’s time the Government stood up to dodgy bosses who are failing to pay their workers the super they deserve.”
DISABILITY ROYAL COMMISSION VOTE WELCOMED
I want to acknowledge today’s historic Parliamentary vote to support a Royal Commission into violence, abuse and neglect of people with a disability.
As somebody who worked as a disability support worker, I can attest to the grave need for this.
For too long, we have been hearing the horrific stories of people with disability who have endured violence, abuse and neglect. This is intolerable and it is time we confronted this reality.
I was particularly distressed to learn of deaths in my own region as a result of “practice failures” at disability services provider, Lifestyle Solutions. This case prompted me to write to the Prime Minister in 2017 requesting an urgent independent review into abuse of people with disability in care.
A Royal Commission will mean people with disability, their loved ones and their carers can tell their stories and seek justice at the highest level.
Australia should lead the way on being an inclusive and supportive society, but we must first shine a light on the terrible abuse that is happening across the country every day.
This vote confirms that the Australian Parliament has zero tolerance for any sort of abuse of people with disability – but now it must be followed by action.
I urge the Government to follow through on its parliamentary promise. It must now work in partnership with people with a disability to design the Terms of Reference and establish a Royal Commission as a matter of urgency.
Sharon Clydon – Labor Federal
CALL FOR WALLSEND BRIDGE REBUILD IN FEDERAL BUDGET
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has called on the Morrison Government to fund a rebuild of the Boscawen Street Bridge at Wallsend to protect against future flooding.
Ms Claydon said Newcastle City Council had requested support for the $3 to $4 million Boscawen rebuild, which has been identified as a priority under the Wallsend Flood Mitigation Strategy.
“Boscawen is one of the three bridges that need rebuilding, along with Tyrell Street and Nelson Street, in Wallsend,” Ms Claydon said.
‘While Council has already allocated funds for the Tyrell Street bridge replacement, it is seeking funds elsewhere for Nelson Street, and I would like to see the federal government pitch in to rebuild Boscawen.”
Ms Claydon said the current structure presents an unacceptable flooding risk.
“A number of issues have been identified, including the low clearance on the bridge, the handrails and the intermediate piers, which have a high chance of trapping cars, shopping trolleys and items that come down through the drainpipes, causing blockages.
“To solve this, the bridge has to be reconstructed. It has to have those piers removed, creating a single-span bridge which would improve the flow capacity in large flood events, allowing for the future channel-widening project.”
Ms Claydon said the rebuild would bring peace of mind to the people of Wallsend and encourage business investment.
“It’s been nearly 12 years since the superstorm wreaked havoc on Wallsend, but every time it rains hard the people of Wallsend—the residents and business owners—are on tenterhooks wondering if this is going to happen again.
“Some shops are empty today for this very reason. These rebuilds will be a shot in the arm to drive confidence in the region.”
Ms Claydon said she wanted to build a strong community campaign to send a message to Canberra about the importance of the project and is urging people to sign her petition at www.sharonclaydon.com
“There’s a Federal Budget coming up in a few months, and this presents a great opportunity to put pressure on this government to commit to a very worthwhile local infrastructure project that is beyond the capacity of local government to fund alone,” Ms Claydon said
“Given we are so close to an election, I am also impressing upon my Labor colleagues the importance of this project.
“I think we’ve got a great chance. It’s a great project. And I’d like nothing more than to see it become a reality.”
HUGE BOOST TO SUPPORT STUDENT WELFARE AND MENTAL HEALTH
n a first for NSW, every public high school will have two dedicated experts to ensure students have access to vital mental health and wellbeing support.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced that the $88 million investment will ensure every public high school student in the State has access to a highly-qualified mental health professional they can confidentially speak to, as well as greater support for bullying, anxiety, stress, and any other difficult issues they may face at school.
“This will make it easy for young people to access help when they’re going through a tough time and also give teachers the support to deal with challenges faced by students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We know from teachers and principals – and the students themselves – what an impact this has on reducing stress and improving academic performance, as well as how much the students embrace the extra support.”
Up to 100 additional full-time school counsellors or psychologists, as well as 350 student support officers, will be employed across NSW public high schools. Importantly, these experts will have the ability to refer students who require greater assistance to mental health services.
Education Minister Rob Stokes said the program will help normalise speaking up and seeking help when it comes to mental health, as well as train teachers to be able to have these conversations with students and their families.
“It is critical that parents, teachers and students know there is always someone they can turn to for support,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’ll also partner with mental health organisations to bring their expertise and experience to school communities.”
Mental Health Minister Tanya Davies said about 14 per cent of children between four and 17 years old experience a mental illness – and this figure is expected to rise.
“If issues are not addressed quickly and at a young age they can develop into lifelong problems,” Mrs Davies said.
“Getting help early can prevent young people from falling into crisis and also avoid longer term interventions as an adult. Schools play a critical role in getting this support to young people sooner.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro visited Griffith High School today to talk with students and teachers about how the boost will help in regional NSW.
“By offering mental health support in schools, we can identify kids who need help early, and make sure they’re looked after.
“With the ice epidemic and youth suicide major issues in regional NSW it is important that our kids have access to life-saving support services no matter where they live.”
Since elected, the NSW Government has increased funding for student wellbeing by more than $200 million, with an additional 236 school counselling positions funded over the past three years, bringing the total full-time counselling positions to 1081.
MAJOR UPGRADES FOR ST GEORGE, RYDE HOSPITALS AND ELECTIVE SURGERY BOOST
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest $864 million for major upgrades to St George ($385 million) and Ryde ($479 million) hospitals, to deliver world-class healthcare and provide additional beds for local communities.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this significant investment in St George and Ryde hospitals was only possible because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“We have a strong track record when it comes to delivering health infrastructure, having already built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and other health facilities across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
During a visit to St George Hospital in Kogarah, Ms Berejiklian also announced a $76 million elective surgery boost, focusing on children and cataract patients.
“No other NSW Government has ever invested as much in health and one of the benefits is the dramatic improvement in on-time paediatric specialist surgery times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are not only building new and upgraded hospitals across the State, we are also ensuring people receive the best possible healthcare they need.”
Today’s announcement follows yesterday’s announcement of an unprecedented 5000 additional nurses and midwives to be recruited, along with more doctors and other health professionals, in a package to increase the health workforce by a total 8300 – a $2.8 billion investment.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redeveloped St George and Ryde hospitals would increase capacity for local communities, ensuring people get the care they need close to home.
“This Government is serious about investing in hospitals – in fact we are investing more than $8 billion over the next four years, with about 100 health infrastructure projects underway and more to come,” Mr Hazzard said.
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the $385 million investment brings to $700 million the total investment in several upgrades to St George Hospital facilities since 2011.
“At St George, we are committing to a new precinct including an ambulatory care unit, outpatient and day surgery services, a new day rehabilitation unit, increased subacute inpatient beds and a hub for community health and home-based services to ensure the local community gets the very best in health care,” Mr Coure said.
Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has long supported better healthcare in Ryde, and that this new investment would completely transform Ryde Hospital.
“This $479 million investment will create a new Ryde Hospital. The historic Denistone House will be preserved and be surrounded by modern and enhanced emergency, critical care, inpatient, community and ambulatory care services, as well as maternity services,” Mr Dominello said.
“Ryde Hospital has an emotional connection for most people in Ryde. Personally, I have a special affinity with Ryde Hospital as my sisters and I were all born here. This massive investment transforms a hospital we love into a modern facility that will continue to provide wonderful care for our community for generations to come.”
Planning for the redevelopment of the hospitals, which will involve consultation with local communities and hospital staff, with construction activities to commence during the next term of government.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government continues to triple Labor’s annual health infrastructure spending, having completed more than 100 new and upgraded hospitals and health facilities, including more than 63 in regional NSW, with another 100 projects underway.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has hired more than 16,000 doctors, nurses and midwives, allied health and support staff to deliver world-class health services across NSW.
By contrast, the former Labor government closed more than 2000 hospital beds and promised four major hospitals but never delivered.
Dreyfus fails Australia and Australians
Having weakened Australia’s tough border protection measures, Labor today walked away from another important matter of national security – in so doing it has ended bipartisanship on national security matters.
The Australian Citizenship Amendment (Strengthening the Citizenship Loss Provisions) 2018 Bill seeks to strengthen powers to deal with dual-national terrorists whose sole aim is to harm Australia and Australians.
These are people who have betrayed their allegiance to Australia. Who have committed barbaric atrocities fighting for ISIS, sworn allegiance to ISIS and plotted to harm innocent Australians.
We should be able to strip such people of their Australian citizenship.
Yet Labor’s Mark Dreyfus seeks any reason to oppose such measures and puts forward bizarre arguments supporting the legal rights of known terrorists to remain in our community and maintain their Australian citizenship.
The legislation before the Parliament was drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel with advice provided by the Chief General Counsel of the Australian Government Solicitor.
Yet Mr Dreyfus prefers to rely on his Labor lawyer mates to find any reason to delay, stymie or reject the Government’s proposed amendments to enable us to deal with terrorists who have no right to remain Australians.
This is not a single instance, Mr Dreyfus is a serial offender.
He sought and continues to seek to water down laws to enable law and intelligence agencies access to digital communications. He is stalling the Identity Matching Services Bill which aims to implement a COAG agreement to protect Australians from identity fraud and he defends Labor’s opposition to mandatory mini mum sentences for firearms offences.
Infamous ISIS terrorist Neil Prakash forfeited his Australians citizenship, yet Mr Dreyfus argues he has not and remains an Australian.
Under this Government 12 terrorists have lost their Australian citizenship.
During the last Labor period of Government – no one – not one- person lost their citizenship for any reason.
This is another crucial test for the Leader of the Opposition.
Having caved in to Labor’s radical Left and agreed to trash the Coalition’s successful border policies, does he support Mr Dreyfus’ constant efforts to thwart legislation that seeks to protect Australia and Australians?
If Mr Shorten and Mr Dreyfus want to run the lawyer line to look for some technicality to allow terrorists to remain or return to our country – that is an issue for them.
The Morrison Coalition Government will seek to keep them as far from our shores as possible.
Greens will fight Bight plans
Equinor is moving full steam ahead to drill in the Bight and The Greens are fighting to stop them.
“We cannot let this project go ahead. Equinor wants approval within months. The Greens are standing with South Australians to fight this all the way,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“We are not prepared to let South Australian tourism and fishing industries be put at risk for the sake of multinational corporate profits, no matter what spin Equinor tries to put on it. The reality is the Bight is too precious to risk. Drilling for oil in the middle of a whale sanctuary is madness.
“The Bight waters are rough and remote. Equnior has nothing to lose and everything to gain from this project. In the case of an oil spill, it will be South Australians, not Equinor, who pay the price. At a time when we know we must transition away from fossil fuels to arrest climate change, the costs of opening up a new oilfield to the planet are too great.
“Instead of opening up another oilfield, Australia should be showing the world how great the Bight is. It is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world – 85 per cent of marine life found in the Bight is found nowhere else. The Greens are pursuing World Heritage protection for the Bight, supporting our jobs in tourism and fisheries, and our beautiful Kangaroo Island over big oil.
“Labor and the Liberals want to risk all we love about the Bight to do the bidding of the oil and gas industry. The 73 per cent of South Australians who want World Heritage protection for the Great Australian Bight can have faith that the Greens are fighting with them to protect the Bight and stop this project.”
Bandt introduces two bills to stop coal mining
Greens Co-Deputy Leader and climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today introduced two private member’s bills into the House of Representatives that lay down a challenge to the old parties on the mining and export of thermal coal. The first would prohibit the mining of thermal coal in Queensland’s Galilee Basin, effectively outlawing the Adani mine, and the second would phase out the export of thermal coal entirely by 2030.
“As a country, we haven’t opened a new coal basin in 50 years and now’s not the time to start,” said Mr Bandt.
“The emissions from exported Australian coal exceed Australia’s domestic emissions. We cannot continue to profit off coal that is making global warming worse.
“It disgusts me that as Australia is simultaneously sweltering, drowning and burning, the old parties are even entertaining the prospect of new coal mines.
“The science demands that we stop burning coal. As the second largest thermal coal exporter in the world, Australia needs to act.
“It’s time to export sunlight, not coal. If Labor and Liberal cut their addiction to coal mining, we could start transitioning out of this dirty industry and towards the clean, cheap and promising export market of the future: renewable energy.”
Fatal single-vehicle crash – Morisset
A man has died following a single-vehicle crash at Morisset today.
Shortly after 10.30am (Tuesday 19 February 2019), emergency services were called to Wyee Road, after a Volkswagen Amarok left the road and hit trees before stopping in bushland.
The driver and sole occupant, 36-year-old man, was pulled from the vehicle. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died at the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, and whether the man may have suffered a medical episode prior to the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.