Free travel for veterans and serving ADF personnel this Remembrance Day

Transport for NSW will honour our veterans and serving personnel in the Australian Defence Force with free public transport this Remembrance Day.

On Monday 11 November, Australians across the country will take the opportunity to stop and remember, honouring the memory of the men and women who have served and are currently serving.

Those in uniform, wearing their medals or with proof of military service, can travel for free on public transport on Remembrance Day.

Veterans’ families and carers can also receive free travel to attend services on Remembrance Day if they are displaying service medals, carrying a letter of accreditation on letterhead from an RSL branch or other recognised ex-services organisation, or with a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card marked War Widow/Widower.

Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said it’s one small way to honour the brave men and women who have served our country.

“Eligible passengers will not need to tap on or off with their Opal cards or contactless payment devices,” said Mr Collins.

“Transport operator staff will let them board free or open the gates for gated stations.

“Free travel will apply to all train, bus, light rail, and ferry services in Sydney, Intercity and outer metropolitan services.

“For NSW TrainLink regional services, veterans and their families can travel to/from Remembrance Day services from November 10-12 for half the applicable fare, available in both First and Economy class.

“Reservations must be booked in advance over the phone on 13 22 32 or in person at selected NSW TrainLink stations and sales agents.”

Passengers who are not eligible for free travel are reminded that regular Opal ticketing applies, even if you are travelling to a commemorative event.

A number of bell towers across the state will ring their bells at 11am and we can all observe one minute of silence to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

For more information on Remembrance Day commemorations, visit Remembrance Day 2024 | NSW Government and to plan your trip, visit transportnsw.info.

Albanese finally cancels 16 military exports to Israel after a year of misinformation

Last night in Senate Estimates, it was revealed that the Albanese Government ‘lapsed or amended’ 16 military permits to Israel from Australia due in part to the “very high number of civilian casualties” in the ongoing conflict.

It was also revealed that 59 of the 65 military export permits that were active with Israel as of June 2024 were for “goods and technologies designed or adapted for use by armed forces or goods that are inherently lethal.” The remaining 6 permits are for “dual-use goods” that are used by both civilians and militaries.

Over the past year, there has been persistent misinformation and gaslighting from the Albanese Government on the two-way arms trade with Israel. Minister Marles falsely claimed that Australia’s exports were all “dual use” and that Australia has not exported “a piece of military equipment” to Israel. Minister Wong’s statement that we have only exported “non-lethal” parts to Israel has now also been proven untrue.

The Albanese Government’s review is still not finalised, and more export permits may be cancelled. In the meantime, Australia is continuing to provide military exports to Israel, some of them part of the two-way arms trade with Israel, where Australia receives the weapons back.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson from Defence, said: “This is a victory for the millions of Australians who, for a year, have been calling on the Albanese Government to take steps to end the arms trade with Israel.

“Over the past year, tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed across the Middle East, with an ongoing genocide in Gaza. In the face of this horror, we now have confirmed that the Albanese government has been permitting the export of military and inherently lethal equipment to Israel.

“After a year of gaslighting and denying that there is a two-way arms trade with Israel, the Albanese Government, under the clouds of a US election, has finally cancelled 16 military permits to Israel.

“The Albanese Government has no credibility in claiming there is no arms trade with Israel while also permitting Australia to export military and inherently lethal goods.

“The Government’s position doesn’t make sense because it is not supposed to, it is designed to silence critics and hide Labor’s complicity in a genocide.

“Cancelling 16 military permits to Israel is a much-needed first step, but why has it come a year late?

“It’s time to end the two-way arms trade with Israel in full.”

Faruqi: Introduction of TAFE bill shows Labor can also bring in legislation right now to wipe student debt

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for Higher Education, has called on Labor to bring in a bill right now to fulfil their promise of wiping 20% of student debt like they have done for fee-free TAFE places today. 

Senator Faruqi: 

“If Labor can introduce legislation for fee-free TAFE places today, why can’t they bring in a bill right now to fulfil their pledge to wipe some student debt.

“People are hurting right now, they need student debt relief right now, not next year.

“Not only is Labor delaying their promised changes to student debt, they are making them uncertain by tying them to the result of the next election.

“There’s no reason to wait. Student debt relief shouldn’t be dangled like a carrot on a stick and held ransom to the next election results. We have the numbers in the parliament to lock in these changes right now.

“We’ve kept the pressure on Labor and it’s clear they are worried more than ever before about people voting Greens. 

“Let’s keep up the pressure for wiping all student debt and making TAFE and uni free.” 

Court Rules in favour of Police over Newcastle Climate Protest

Today the NSW Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the NSW Police Commissioner against grassroots climate action group Rising Tide in the Police attempt to prohibit “The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port”. Following two full days of hearings, Justice Fagan has ruled both prohibition orders sought by the NSW Police will be granted. It is understood that the NSW Police refused to negotiate throughout the proceedings even after Rising Tide significantly reduced their protest event applications from eight to four days, and from 50 hours on the Port’s waters to 30, in line with last year’s successful event which received international attention.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Climate Change and Justice Sue Higginson says, “This is a chilling day for our democracy. It is the second time in the past few weeks that Police have sought to use the Court to prohibit a public protest event with the full support of the Premier of this State, and it should serve as a wake up call to the people of NSW. Our rights of political communication in their many forms are being steadily eroded by the very people put in place to protect them,”

“While this outcome is extremely disappointing, it must be made absolutely clear, this case was never about whether or not this event could go ahead. The people do not need permission from the police to protest on public land and water in this State. This court case was always about the police insisting they should hold on to their full suite of criminal and policing powers during this event. In other words, for the last week they have dragged a family-friendly event through the courts at the public’s cost, so that they may be emboldened to arrest anyone who is protesting against the Government’s support for the continuation of coal exports through the Newcastle coal port in the face of the climate crisis,”

“As I understand it, The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port will go ahead. It is also the case that Rising Tide does have appeal rights if they are of the opinion that the Judge made an error of law in the case and of course they can lodge a new Form 1 should they choose. The Police case rested heavily on safety and Rising Tide responded by modifying their application but the Police would not budge. The case took a perverse turn when the argument to refuse the application for the on land event, which is full of community and performance family friendly activities, focussed on the need for police to be able to arrest people on land to prevent them from accessing the water,”

“Today, as the state of democracy is in peril across the world, NSW has slipped further into authoritarianism, spurred on by Premier Chris Minns’ intolerance of the freedom of political communication and the right to assemble and protest,”

“Under the laws of NSW it is not the job of the Premier or the Police to say where, when and how people can protest. It is the job of the Police and the Premier to serve the people and work with organisers to facilitate a safe and effective event. Today, the Premier and the Police have thrown this obligation back in our faces. What we have seen are the tactics of authoritarian politics attempting to silence the people,”

“It is telling that the NSW Government would rather seek to silence the community and protect their profits from exporting the climate crisis straight through the Port of Newcastle rather than support our grassroots communities, embrace the right to protest, take firm action to end coal exports and transition our economy.

“The climate crisis is here and people need to exercise their hope that their governments will hear them. It is only a matter of time before we see another catastrophe in this State like the Black Summer fires of 2019 2020 or the devastation of the floods in the North in 2022. As the experts in the CSIRO and the BOM told us loud and clear in their recent and terrifying State of the Climate 2024 report, we must stop our addiction to fossil fuels,” Ms Higginson said.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Democracy Kobi Shetty says, “Today’s outcome is a shocking attack on the right to protest. It’s appalling that the police and the NSW Labor Government have sought so hard to deny people the fundamental right to protest,”

“The Rising Tide event was held last year with no significant safety concerns or incidents. It is a peaceful, family friendly protest – and it has been an important way for people concerned about climate change to express their frustration and hold our government to account,”

“Protest is a key part of our democratic process, and as people become more concerned about our government’s inaction on climate change, it’s vital that people are able to speak out and demand more from decision makers. The Greens will continue to stand in solidarity with climate protestors like the Rising Tide organisers and the Knitting Nannas. We cannot allow these attacks on our democracy to continue,” Ms Shetty said.

University students and staff facing discipline for pro-Palestine views and activism

Students and staff at universities across Sydney are facing a wave of repression for pro-Palestine political views and activism. In what students are describing as a “new McCarthyism”, a slew of vexatious disciplinary proceedings and other threats are being used to intimidate and silence anyone who wishes to speak out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

 Yasmine Johnson, a Jewish student and co-convenor of Students for Palestine at the University of Sydney, is being subjected to disciplinary proceedings which could result in her suspension, simply for organising a pro-Palestine protest at the university, which allegedly breached the University’s new Campus Access Policy (CAP) 2024. Other students are facing similar proceedings.

 Defenders of Israels genocide in Gaza have lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission as the first step in a class-action lawsuit targeting the University of Sydney and two of its academic staff, including Senior Lecturer in English and writing, Nick Riemer, on the spurious grounds that criticism of Zionism amounts to antisemitism and racial vilification.

 University of New South Wales (UNSW) recently hauled Jewish anti-Zionist and Honorary Associate Professor Peter Slezak into a meeting with a faculty Dean, following pro-Palestine comments made at a student general meeting on campus.

 UNSW students meanwhile have had their ‘Students for Palestine’ student society suspended by the University. Other students say that their peers are facing secretive disciplinary proceedings for their pro-Palestine activism that could result in suspensions and expulsions.

 At WSU, two students faced arrests by NSW police for protesting the universities’ complicity in supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza, with the arrests taking place during a peaceful campus demonstration that was met with a heavy-handed police response.

 At UTS, students were told that the Vice Chancellor had personally banned a leaflet they were distributing because it included the word “genocide”, describing Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Yasmine Johnson:

 “As a Jewish student, the idea that I could be suspended for taking a stand against a genocide is incomprehensible. The “threat to student safety” isn’t the protest I organised, it’s USyd’s ties to weapons companies arming the killing in Gaza.”

Nick Riemer, Sydney University:

 “The attack on me and my colleague John Keane is a nonsensical attempt to silence us and other Palestine advocates from speaking out against the obscenity of Israel’s crimes. The complainants are profoundly deluded if they imagine they will succeed even for a moment. In aiming to weaponise the Racial Discrimination Act against us, they are working to eliminate opposition in Australia to Netanyahu’s current genocide.”

Kobi Shetty MP and NSW Greens Democracy spokesperson:

“The crackdown on protests that we are seeing play out at Sydney Uni and other campuses represents an alarming shift towards authoritarianism. In NSW we’re witnessing a coordinated effort to undermine the right to protest, with a slew of anti-protest laws and recent court challenges to block peaceful protests from going ahead. These attacks are now filtering down into our universities. 

“As people become increasingly concerned about our government’s inaction on issues like climate change, and the genocide in Gaza, it’s essential that they have the right to express dissent and speak out. Peaceful protest is a valid way for people to hold decision makers to account – whether that’s the government of the day or universities, that play an important role in social movements. Peaceful protest is an integral part of a functioning democracy, and it must be protected.”

Peter Slezak, Honorary Professor of Philosophy at University of NSW:

 “As in an earlier generation during the Vietnam War, students have taken up the struggle when our leaders, politicians and media and their universities have failed to uphold human rights, international law – and justice. We are facing one of the great moral tests of our time and the students’ courage and decency is in stark contrast with the lameness, and cowardice of our leaders and university managers. In particular, it is to desecrate the memory of the victims of real antisemitism when it is weaponized to silence students’ and others’ justified criticism of Israel’s crimes.”

PM must outlaw predatory algorithms and data harvesting by social media companies

The Greens have called on the Federal Government to announce measures that will tackle the predatory business models of the tech giants, saying an age ban alone won’t make social media safer. 

They reiterated their call for laws that ban the use of predatory algorithms, data harvesting and advertising that targets young people.

Greens Spokesperson for Communications and Deputy Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Australian parents are rightfully worried about the toxic nature of social media and the harm it can do. We don’t want to just kick young people off TikTok or Youtube, we need to make the platforms safer and age appropriate. 

“If the PM wants to make social media safer then he must ban the social media giants from targeting our kids with algorithms and advertising, and from data harvesting, especially of private information. 

“Parents are worried about the safety of their kids online but they also know unless platforms are forced to clean up their act, their child won’t be safe online when they turn 16 either.

“The Government has made this announcement today before its own Inquiry, established to examine an age limit ban, has reported. Overwhelmingly experts have told the Committee that a ban alone will not keep our young people safe or make platforms safer. Many witnesses noted the importance of teaching young people how to use social media and implored the Committee to understand that there are many positive benefits to being online, particularly for marginalised kids.

“The Government’s own online safety expert, the e-Safety Commissioner, has recommended a multi-pronged approach that encourages platforms to be safe by design. The PM must listen to experts ahead of News Corp and Peter Dutton.

“When legislation is eventually introduced, it will need to be examined thoroughly. The Greens will be looking for measures that finally regulate these global platforms and stop them profiting off the suffering of everyone, not just our kids. 

“Our online spaces should be safe for everyone and they should be safe whatever age young people get online. The EU and other countries have led the way and it’s time Australia followed.”

Funding for war memorials throughout NSW

Minister for Veterans David Harris announced $128,358 in NSW Government funding for care and upkeep of 15 war memorials across the state.

The $2,000 to $15,000 grants have been awarded to local councils, RSL sub-Branches and community groups throughout metropolitan, regional and rural NSW from Round 1 of the 2024/25 Community War Memorials Fund.

The recipients range from all four corners of the state, from Broken Hill to Bland, Port Stephens to Sussex Inlet, Tamworth to Thirroul.

Minister Harris was in Broken Hill today to announce $10,000 has been awarded to Broken Hill City Council for conservation work on the town’s Great War Memorial.

Dubbed ‘the Bomber’, the memorial comprises an imposing bronze sculpture of an Australian First World War soldier throwing a Mills bomb.

The memorial was unveiled by Lt. General Sir John Monash on 11 October 1925 where it has since stood as an iconic feature of Broken Hill and remains the largest free-standing war memorial action sculpture in Australia.

Twenty-six applications were received in this round, which closed on 24 July. Round 2 of the grant program will open on Remembrance Day, 11 November 2024.

Changes will be made to the Community War Memorials Fund schedule in 2025, and more details will be released closer to that time.

For more information visit https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/heritage/community-war-memorials-fund/

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Our communities are proud of their military history, and it is wonderful to announce this funding for local war memorials across the state.

“Local war memorials like the Great War Memorial here in Broken Hill, are a vital part of our culture. Ensuring they are supported with appropriate conservation and upkeep will help us to continue to reflect on over 100 years of service and sacrifice by our veterans.

“I encourage all communities to review the status of their local war memorials and to apply for funding for any restoration work that is needed.”

Broken Hill City Mayor Tom Kennedy said:

“I’d like to thank the NSW Government for this funding, which will contribute to much-needed conservation work on our War Memorial statue in Argent Street.

“The Bomber statue is an iconic Broken Hill landmark and a great tribute to all the brave locals who have lost their lives fighting for Australia over the years.

“I commend the NSW Government for helping to ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten.”  

Legal matters made easier with new Legal Aid NSW client portal

The Minns Labor Government is making it easier for Legal Aid NSW clients to access information about their case with a $1.6 million investment in a new digital one-stop-shop for the legal provider.

The new platform will provide clients with real-time updates, access to correspondence and easy document uploads, as well as information about preparing for court appearances and other legal appointments.

The client portal provides a secure digital tool optimised for mobile phone use, helping people without computers or with changing or non-permanent residential addresses. Using the new portal, clients will be able to photograph and upload documents via their mobile phone.

The new portal will also minimise the need for clients to call Legal Aid NSW because they will be directly notified of updates to their case.

In 2022/2023, Legal Aid NSW provided half a million client services, with 35 per cent of these in regional and rural areas.

The Minns Labor Government is investing in the new portal under new focus areas for the Digital Restart Fund which prioritise accessible government services, enhanced cybersecurity and frontline worker support.

Legal Aid NSW expects the portal to be fully operational by late 2025.

For more information on the DRF, visit https://www.digital.nsw.gov.au/funding/digital-restart-fund

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Navigating the legal process can be stressful and it can be difficult for people in rural or remote communities or those in crisis accommodation to keep track of their case.

“The new Legal Aid client portal will make it easier for people to access key information, receive timely updates and securely upload documentation on the go from their mobile phone.

“Supported by the Digital Restart Fund, this portal uses digital services to help communities and is in line with the Minns Labor Government’s focus on inclusion in the way digital services are designed and delivered.”

CEO of Legal Aid NSW Monique Hitter said:

“This portal is a game-changer for our clients.”

“It enables them to easily view information about their cases, their lawyers, their appointments and court dates. That helps people to keep track of their legal matter and reduces the need for phone calls.

“By providing this secure digital communication channel, and delivering 24/7 access to key information, this portal makes it easier for people to deal with their legal problems.”

International education celebrated at state’s top awards

NSW’s top international students, education providers, businesses and community groups have been named and celebrated at the prestigious 2024 NSW International Education Awards.

The awards, now in their 11th year, recognise the success and contributions of international students across NSW and celebrate organisations for their outstanding support for international education.

Two types of awards were presented:

The NSW International Student of the Year Awards recognise the contributions made by individual students to their education and broader community.

The winners across three categories were:

  • Schools – Minh Thiem (Evelyn) Lieu from Vietnam, studying at Canley Vale High School.
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET) and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)– Cristina Gabriela Tacuri Garcia from Ecuador, studying at Greenwich College.
  • Higher Education – Aradhana Grover from India, studying at The University of Newcastle.

The NSW International Education Industry Awards recognise the contributions of education providers and organisations that support international students through programs and initiatives.

The winners across two categories were:

  • Education Provider – UNSW Sydney Water Safety Program
  • Partnership Excellence – Redfern Legal Centre International Student Legal Service NSW

Winners were announced on Wednesday night at an awards ceremony held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.

For more information about the 2024 NSW International Education Awards, including a full list of the finalists and winners, visit Study NSW: https://www.study.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/nsw-international-education-awards/

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“I congratulate all of this year’s winners and finalists who are helping to make NSW an even better place for international students to further their education.

“International education showcases Australia as an attractive destination, and NSW is the nation’s leading exporter of education services.”

NSW International Student of the Year, Higher Education Winner Aradhana Grover said:

“Being recognised for this award fills me with immense joy and gratitude.

“Winning this award is a personal honour but also a reflection of the meaningful connections we can foster.

“It’s a reminder of the importance of our collective efforts to uplift each other and drive positive change, reinforcing the belief that every act of kindness makes a difference.

“This award also recognises the dedication and passion that international students contribute to communities.

“Awards like this are important because they celebrate the diverse contributions of international students, highlighting their unique perspectives and experiences.

“These awards create a platform for sharing the stories and accomplishments of international students, fostering a sense of community and belonging.”

NSW International Education Industry Awards, Partnership Excellence Winner Sean Stimson, Redfern Legal Centre said:

“We are deeply grateful and humbled to win this award.

“Winning is a wonderful recognition of our team for their collective efforts to improve the educational experiences and legal protections of international students in NSW.

“This award will no doubt strengthen our ability to continue advocating, to ensure the safety and well-being of all international students.

“Awards like this shine a spotlight on the critical issues facing international students, who contribute so much to the cultural and economic fabric of NSW.

“It also encourages greater collaboration between education providers, government, and legal services to continue innovating and improving the support offered to international students.

“These awards celebrate not just individual achievements, but the collective effort to create a safer and more inclusive environment for students, which in turn strengthens NSW’s position as a global leader in international education.”

Major work to transform the new city-shaping Southwest Metro powers ahead

Major works to transform the 130-year-old T3 Bankstown line to a modern metro and deliver more housing for Sydney are in full swing, with significant progress being made across the line as part of the city-shaping Southwest Metro conversion.

This progress includes Canterbury Station, where the first full set of Sydney Metro’s platform screen doors have been installed to create a 180-metre-long barrier along both of the station’s platforms

A total of 160 out of 360 platform screen doors have been fitted across the 10 Southwest stations being upgraded to ensure public safety with the remainder to be installed by the end of November.

Each of the state-of-the-art glass doors take approximately six hours to prepare and install, before being connected with electrical cables, powered on and prepared for testing and commissioning.

Since major construction commenced following the closure of the T3 Bankstown line a month ago, between 400 and 800 people have been working on the Southwest conversion every day.

Work completed to date as part of the Southwest conversion includes:

  • Track adjustments, overhead wiring and signalling work at Sydenham to disconnect the future Sydney Metro tracks from the adjacent Sydney Trains and ARTC networks.
  • Commissioning of the new T6 line to provide a four-car shuttle service from Bankstown to Lidcombe.
  • 20.21 kilometres of 21.34 kilometres of security and rail segregation fencing installed.
  • 160 of 360 platform screen doors installed at Bankstown, Canterbury, Campsie, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill stations.
  • 105 of 170 mechanical gap fillers installed at Marrickville, Canterbury, Hurlstone Park, Campsie, Dulwich Hill Stations, with installation works underway at Belmore, Punchbowl and Lakemba stations. 

The Minns Labor Government is also turbocharging the delivery of new housing along the Southwest Metro line by supporting transport-oriented development at a majority of stations on the line including an accelerated precinct at Bankstown Station.

We need more well-located homes near well-connected transport infrastructure, so people have a place to call home, where they can move around our city easier. Southwest Metro is a critical part of this.

This new metro will also allow thousands of people to live next to a high-frequency metro line with a train every four minutes during the peak. Prior to the shutdown, some stations along the Southwest line only had four trains an hour in the peak.

Additionally, a new 17km walking and cycling path will be built along the Sydenham to Bankstown alignment, giving people even more travel options.

Once the final section of this line is open, Sydney will have a 30-kilometre fast and reliable metro network from Sydney’s North West, under the harbour and below the Sydney CBD and out to Bankstown in the city’s South West.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build more housing close to infrastructure such as metros, jobs and essential services, building well-connected communities for NSW.

During the conversion period, free and frequent pink Southwest Link buses have carried over million passengers impacted by the closure of the T3 Bankstown line.

For more information on T3 replacement services: Southwest Link | transportnsw.info.

For more information on Southwest Metro: City & Southwest project overview | Sydney Metro.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“This new Metro will completely reshape how people across South Western Sydney travel around our city, providing world class public transport options that have been missing for far too long.

“NSW is losing twice as many young people as we’re gaining, and building new homes near public transport with major projects like this is a critical part of the solution to making housing more affordable.

“I want to thank the thousands of workers who have worked around the clock on this conversion and the many more who will deliver this converted line.”

Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen said:

“Platform screen doors are an essential part of delivering a modern new transport system and it is fantastic to see them standing proudly at Canterbury, where passengers will soon be able to jump on board a metro train with ease.

“We are making every second of this closure count so that people living in Sydney’s southwest will have access to game-changing fast, reliable and safe metro services.

“We have hit the ground running to ensure safe and reliable metro services are a reality for hundreds of thousands of people in Sydney’s inner west and southwest sooner rather than later. 

Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis said:

“This is a transformational project and one that will leave an important legacy in the area.

“The Minns Labor Government invested $1 billion to ensure that this long-promised project became a reality.

“When the conversion is complete, passengers will have access to a 21st century high-tech metro line with a train every four minutes during the peak, along with fully accessible stations and services.

“This is a huge win for commuters in the southwest who can expect faster travel times to destinations around Sydney, including Canterbury to Central in just 16 minutes.”