Greens to move for Parliamentary Inquiry into PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Water

The Greens will move for an urgent Upper House Inquiry this week after more revelationsthat cancer-linked forever chemicals have been detected in Sydney’s drinking water catchment – this time well above Australian drinking water guidelines.

New testing has found alarming levels of PFAS concentrations downstream of Medlow Dam in the Blue Mountains at 200 times higher than the guidelines – and upstream at more than 50 times the guidelines.

In December 2023, the World Health Organisation concluded that forever chemicals are carcinogenic. There is no safe level of exposure without a risk of adverse health effects.

“The Health Minister needs to come clean about exactly what’s in Sydney’s drinking water. As recently as Budget Estimates last week, Minister Park said that Sydney’s drinking water is safe, yet now we have independent testing showing PFAS concentrations well above the drinking water guidelines,” said Greens MP and water spokesperson Cate Faehrmann.

“I wrote to the Health and Water Ministers back in June seeking urgent independent testing which they refused to do. Then last week, I was informed that as a result of recent media investigations, Sydney Water and WaterNSW have added PFAS monitoring to their testing procedures.

“It shouldn’t have to take media exposure before the government acts, yet that’s exactly what’s happening. And the public shouldn’t have to rely upon independent testing for the truth to come out about what exactly is in their drinking water and whether it’s safe.

“Members of the public are writing to me in confusion and distress. They don’t know whether they should be drinking the water coming out of their taps. Meanwhile the government says it still doesn’t know the source of the PFAS and it could take months before they do.

“It’s not good enough. The Government can’t be trusted to tell the public everything they need to know about this issue. The public deserves answers and that’s why I’ll be moving for an urgent Parliamentary Inquiry into this issue this week,” said Cate Faehrmann.

Greens call for federal probe into missing First Nations men and children in WA

The Australian Greens have today called for a federal investigation into missing First Nations men and children in Western Australia, after years of inertia by police and government.

In a letter to the Australian Federal Police Commissioner and the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Greens Senators Dorinda Cox and David Shoebridge said the WA Police Force had had enough time to act, and that it was time for a larger, federal investigation.

In recent years seven First Nations WA men – Zane Stevens, Jeremiah “Jayo” Rivers, Wylie Oscar, Clinton Lockyer, Wesley Lockyer, Brenton Shar, Jimmy Taylor – have gone missing.

The Greens say their families have been in a holding pattern ever since, and deserve better.

While the WA Police Force seems to continue operating as though its business as usual, the government has yet to formally respond to the Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Childrens report which was tabled over a month ago.

A rally will be held in Perth today for missing First Nations people.

Australian Greens First Nations spokesperson, Senator Dorinda Cox:

“The police and the government are failing the families of these missing men.

“These are humans, people whose families are sitting in a holding pattern waiting for any news.

“Instead the police seem to be operating as though its business as usual, and the government won’t even respond to the Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Childrens report which was tabled over a month ago.

“Families shouldn’t need to go to public meetings, rally, or fund private investigations to get answers.

“We haven’t even seen rewards being offered for information relating to these cases, yet we have for property offences in Western Australia.

“First Nations people are going missing and have been disappeared by systems at an alarming rate – we are demanding truth-telling and action.”

Australian Greens justice spokesperson, Senator David Shoebridge: 

“Families of missing people shouldn’t have to fight the justice system to get answers about what happened to their loved ones but they do.

“We know that police responses to First Nations families can retraumatise those seeking help and that substandard investigations by police mean missed opportunities to locate missing First Nations men.

“The racist justice system has failed these men and their communities for too long and a comprehensive investigation is urgently needed.”

Targeted Sanctions in Response to Human Rights Violations in Iran

On the second anniversary of the incarceration and tragic death of Mahsa Jina Amini, the Australian Government is imposing targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on an additional five Iranian individuals.

Mahsa Jina Amini’s death galvanised months of protests in Iran, which were brutally quashed by Iranian security forces.

The individuals sanctioned today include senior security and law enforcement officials who have been complicit in the violent repression of protests in Iran.

The human rights situation in Iran remains dire, particularly for women and girls. In early 2024, Iranian authorities launched a new campaign to enforce mandatory hijab laws through increased surveillance and harassment. Female human rights activists continue to be detained and handed death sentences.

Today’s listings mean the Albanese Government has now sanctioned 195 Iran-linked individuals and entities across multiple sanctions frameworks, including almost 100 individuals and entities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

These sanctions illustrate the Government’s commitment to holding Iran to account for human rights violations and other destabilising activities.

Australia stands with Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment.

For further information on Australia’s sanctions settings, please visit the Sanctions regimes page on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

Joint statement two years after Mahsa Zhina Amini’s death

The following is the joint statement released by the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, on the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini.

Two years ago today, Mahsa Zhina Amini, a young Kurdish-Iranian woman, was killed while in police custody in Iran. Her death sparked a nationwide protest movement, led by women and girls, which was unwavering in its demand for a better future.

We stand with women and girls in Iran, and Iranian human rights defenders, across all segments of society in their ongoing daily fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At least 500 persons died and over 20,000 were detained in the Iranian security forces’ brutal crackdown on displays of dissent in 2022 and 2023. But the global “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement remains united.

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Iran, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has said that many of the human rights violations perpetrated against protesters amount to crimes against humanity. The Iranian government has yet to address these allegations and has not cooperated with this internationally recognized mandate.

In daily life, women and girls continue to face severe repression in Iran. The renewed “Noor” hijab crackdown, which enforces Iran’s law requiring women to wear headscarves, has spurred a fresh round of harassment and violence. The Iranian government has bolstered its surveillance infrastructure to arrest, detain, and in some cases torture women and girls for their peaceful activism. According to human rights organisations, Iran is one of the foremost executioners of women globally.

We call on the new Iranian administration to fulfil its pledge to ease pressure on civil society in Iran and to end the use of force to enforce the hijab requirement. The recent surge in executions that have largely occurred without fair trials has been shocking, and we urge the Iranian government to cease its human rights violations now. We, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, will continue to act in lockstep to hold the Iranian government accountable and will use all relevant national legal authorities to promote accountability for Iranian human rights violators, including through sanctions and visa restrictions.

GREENS REQUEST THAT GROUP BEHIND LAND FORCES HAVE CHARITY STATUS REVOKED

The Greens have requested that AMDA – the group that ran Land Forces, the largest weapons expo in the southern hemisphere – have its charity status revoked. 

The Greens say that a company that platforms weapons manufacturers that are responsible for genocide and war crimes, is not a charity. 

Greens MP for Richmond Gabrielle de Vietri and the Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt have written to the ACNC to ask that they revoke AMDA Foundation’s registration. 

AMDA runs several major weapons-related trade exhibitions across the country where military organisations, government representatives, trade delegates and military officials from around the world have attended to buy and sell weapons, ammunition, military parts and equipment.

Greens MP for Richmond, Gabrielle de Veitri: 

“It’s outrageous that AMDA, a company that hosts multinational weapons expos, can masquerade as a charity.

“Nothing about this event is charitable. The public can’t even attend this event. This is all about tax deductions for the weapons manufacturers and government representatives looking for their next cushy job. 

“The weapons industry profits from death and destruction. They promote war because they benefit from it. That is no way beneficial to the general public.

“A company that promotes profiting from violent oppression around the world should not be enjoying charity tax concessions.

“Revoking AMDA’s charity status is a step we can take to stop enabling multinational companies to profit from killing people.” 

NSW Government takes action on ticketless parking fines

The Minns Labor Government will take action to reform the ticketless parking fine system, ensuring drivers receive on-the-spot notifications for parking fines. The changes will improve fairness and transparency for drivers.

The legislation to be introduced by the NSW Government will set higher standards by:

  • Requiring councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to a vehicle. This could be the penalty notice itself, or a short description of the offence and notice that a fine will be sent to them.
  • Requiring councils to take photos of offences – even if they use the traditional ‘ticketed’ method – and make them available for Revenue NSW to provide to drivers. The photos must include images of the vehicle, relevant signage and the physical notice left on the vehicle. This will streamline the review process for any challenged fines.
  • Limiting the circumstances where an on-the-spot notification is not required to be left by a parking officer, for example, where it is hazardous or unsafe for them to do so.
  • Invalidating ‘repeat’ ticketless parking fines, addressing a key concern of the existing system, that drivers can be fined multiple times for the same offence before they even become aware of the first infringement.
  • Introducing data reporting rules to monitor the implementation of the legislation and evaluate if any future reforms are necessary.

The requirement to issue an on-the-spot notification will not apply to a limited number of parking zones, such as enclosed parking areas that use licence plate recognition technology, and in national parks with limited mobile phone connectivity.

Regulations issued by the Minister for Finance will clearly specify these parking zones and describe the wording, font size, colour, and location of signage to give drivers sufficient advance warning they are in a ticketless infringement zone.

Councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines in 2023/24, up 49% from 551,441 issued in 2022/23.

Since March 2024, the NSW Government has consulted councils extensively which has informed the development of the legislative reforms. That engagement will now focus on the development of the regulations which will contain operational details.

To protect the safety of infringement officers from abuse and aggression when issuing tickets, they will not be required to leave an on-the-spot notification where it is unsafe to do so. Under existing provisions, assaulting an authorised officer is an aggravating factor to be considered by a court during sentencing.

The overwhelming majority of ticketless parking fines in NSW are for offences in council-operated parking facilities. The parking fine reforms will apply to facilities operated by councils, NSW Government agencies and universities. Acknowledging their unique operating requirements, these changes will not apply to police officers.

These are important and necessary reforms which will ensure the ticketless parking fine system meets community expectations and delivers a uniform experience for motorists across NSW, regardless of where they park their car.

Premier Chris Minns:

“Drivers deserve better than the current system.

“Too many motorists have driven off with no idea they might be liable for a parking fine.

“This system was introduced by the former government without enough protections for drivers. We’re fixing that.”

“Setting new, higher standards for parking fines, including rules about invalidating unfair fines, is the right thing to do and goes a long way to re-building community trust.

“Frustration among drivers and community members about the ticketless parking system is high – and that’s fair enough. The ticketless parking fine system was introduced by the previous government without regard for the impact on drivers and families.

“I want to acknowledge the NRMA for their long-standing advocacy on this matter. Along with motorists, they first raised their concerns in 2020, but were ignored.”

NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury:

“The NRMA commends the NSW Government for addressing the increasingly unpopular ticketless parking fine system adopted by dozens of councils.

“Motorists who abuse the limited public parking spaces available obviously deserve to be fined, however ticketless parking fines removed transparency and made it almost impossible for motorists to contest their fine if they felt they had a legitimate case.

“The Government’s announcement today can give the public confidence that enforcement will again be open and transparent and we encourage councils to work with the Government on implementing these measures.”

Albanese’s integrity shredded by CFMEU revelations

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s integrity lies in tatters today with revelations he was briefed in detail about criminal and gangland links to the CFMEU more than 10 years ago.

The Albanese Government has continually told the Australian people that it only learnt of the criminal infiltration and corrupt behaviour of the CFMEU when it was reported recently in the media.

This claim is completely undermined by the revelations in The Australian newspaper.

Mr Albanese needs to look the Australian people in the eye and tell them the truth.

He should admit he’s known about the criminal links and other behaviour within the CFMEU for many years.

Mr Albanese should explain in detail what he did with the information provided to him in 2014. He should explain what follow up action, if any, he took.

He should admit who he passed the information onto and whether he continued to pursue the issue. It appears Mr Albanese buried his head in the sand.

The Prime Minister should explain why the Australian Labor Party continued to take millions of dollars of donations from the CFMEU while knowing about their criminal connections.

Mr Albanese should explain why in 2016 the Labor Party fought every step of the way against the introduction of the Australian Building and Construction Commission and the Registered Organisations Commission.

Mr Albanese is still fighting against legislation introduced in this Parliament by the Coalition to re-establish the ABCC and also ensure integrity in the construction industry by keeping criminals out of it.

Mr Albanese should immediately support this legislation.

Life-saving defibrillators available for NSW sports facilities

NSW sporting clubs and organisations have the opportunity to apply for their share of $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government for new life-saving defibrillators.

The equipment is funded under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program which provides up to $3,000 to eligible sporting organisations for the purchase of automated external defibrillators at sports facilities.

Since the Program commenced, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across NSW.

Applications close 27 November 2024 or when funding is exhausted.

For further information, including expanded eligibility criteria, please see the Program guidelines at: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“With more than 9,000 out of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in NSW each year, the first few minutes following an incident are critical, and access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death.

“The NSW Government wants to ensure people participating in sport have access to this life-saving equipment.

“The Local Sport Defibrillator Program ensures clubs are equipped to respond to these life-threatening emergencies.”

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said:

“Being able to access a defibrillator quickly and easily could be the difference between life and death for someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.

“In fact, survival rates nearly double if a defibrillator is used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest.

“Currently just one in 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive.

“This is a sobering statistic but it’s one we can change for the better by installing more of these lifesaving devices in sports clubs across the State.”

Upgrading our fire trails ahead of bushfire season

The Minns Labor Government is undertaking helicopter inspections of fire trails across the state to prioritise maintenance work needed ahead of the summer bush fire season to help protect lives and communities.

Inspections have started in the Sydney region and will work their way around the state throughout September.

Crown Lands is undertaking the inspections together with the Rural Fire Service, with over 540 fire trails being inspected covering more than 2,400 kilometres on Crown land and adjoining lands.

The NSW Government has provided more than $7.9 million in 2024-25 for on-ground maintenance and upgrades of strategic fire trails on Crown land. The former Government left no ongoing funding in the budget for the maintenance and upgrades of these critical Crown Lands fire trails.

A further $4.8 million has been allocated for hazard reduction activities including controlled burns and Asset Protection Zone (APZ) maintenance and upgrades to protect communities.

Helicopter inspections are more efficient than ground patrols by vehicles, particularly in remote and less accessible areas and where fire trails cross multiple property boundaries or have other access issues.

Aerial patrols reduce inspection times in these areas from months to weeks and give an overall ‘point in time’ assessment of the fire trail network. 

Helicopter crews monitor the trails from the air to identify whether trees have fallen and require removal, if erosion or vegetation growth has impacted trails, or where creek crossings may need repair. 

The helicopter is also fitted with a camera to help record where follow-up work is needed. 

Following the aerial inspections, Crown Lands partners with the NSW Soil Conservation Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service to prioritise and undertake any required maintenance works.

The work could include vegetation removal, erosion repairs, drainage and fire trail stability work, and construction and maintenance of vehicle passing and turning bays.

In some areas, this extends to installing signage, gates and bollards to protect fire trails from unauthorised access and rubbish dumping. 

If landowners have concerns about a potential bushfire hazard, they should contact the Rural Fire Service.  

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“Crown Lands is responsible for maintaining approximately 2,400 kilometres of fire trails, and over 660 hectares of Asset Protection Zones across NSW to ensure adequate fire breaks between bushland and buildings in residential areas. 

“Ensuring our fire trails are properly maintained is critical to protecting our firefighters and communities across the state as we head into a potentially dangerous bushfire season. 

“It also has broader bushfire management responsibilities across the entire Crown land estate.  In addition to the aerial inspections, there are also many other fire trails on Crown land that are more easily accessible and so are inspected using 4WD vehicles.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“All of this targeted preparatory work ensures our fire trails are ready for summer so that firefighting crews and their vehicles can access these routes to fight fires.

“Quick responses to control bush fires are crucial to help contain blazes before they spread and this is one of many measures we are putting in place to support firefighting efforts.

“Along with targeted hazard reduction activity, this work helps reduce risks to residents and property.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“These inspections and the maintenance work that will follow are about making sure we are as prepared as we can be when the bushfires inevitable come this summer.

“Making sure the fire trails are clear of fallen trees and other obstacles gives our firefighters the best chance of getting to a blaze quickly and protecting lives and property.

“Agencies including the Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Forestry Corporation all rely on properly maintained fire trails for their fire-fighting appliances, so I applaud this work to ensure we are ready for summer.”

Community invited to provide feedback on Milton Ulladulla Hospital Health Service Plan

The communities of Milton, Ulladulla and surrounds are being encouraged to provide feedback on the Milton Ulladulla Hospital draft Health Service Plan by participating in consultation sessions during late September and early October.

The draft Health Service Plan will guide the planning and development of health services at Milton Ulladulla Hospital to meet the community’s health needs now and into the future.

Members of the community are invited to provide feedback through a range of consultation activities, with both online and face-to-face options available. A dedicated consultation session will also be held to discuss maternity services on September 30th.

The draft Plan has been developed using data, including population trends and projections, as well as considering evidence-based practices, value-based healthcare principles, and changes to how healthcare will be delivered in the future. Extensive feedback from key clinical and non-clinical staff and stakeholders has also helped inform the draft Plan.

The draft Health Service Plan and a summary document are available on the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) website.

Community consultation opportunities include:

Pop-up information stalls (drop in – no registration required)

  • 95 Princes Hwy, Ulladulla (outside Ulladulla Beach Pharmacy) – 1 October (9am – 11am)
  • 82 Princes Hwy, Milton (footpath outside The Star Hotel) – 2 October (9am – 11am)

Community consultation sessions (registrations required)

  • Maternity focused consultation – Ulladulla Civic Centre – 30 September (6pm – 8pm)
  • Medical and allied health professionals – Ulladulla Civic Centre – 1 October (6pm – 8pm)
  • General community consultation – Ulladulla Civic Centre – 2 October (6pm – 8pm)
  • Online community information session and Q&A – 3 October (6pm – 8pm)

To assist with planning, the community are asked to register for the consultation sessions by visiting the ISLHD website, phoning Milton Ullladulla Hospital main switch on 4454 9100, or in person at the hospital. 

Feedback can also be provided by completing the online survey or emailing: ISLHD-YourSay@health.nsw.gov.au. Handwritten feedback can be dropped into collection boxes at Milton Ulladulla Hospital and Ulladulla Community Health Centre. 

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“Community consultation is an essential part of planning health facilities and services to help ensure they are tailored to the needs of our communities, staff, patients and their families and carers.  

“We’re encouraging the community to come along to meet the team from Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and find out more about the Milton Ulladulla Hospital draft Health Service Plan and share your thoughts and feedback.

“The consultation has been planned to provide a range of different opportunities for the community to participate, whether that’s online or by attending one of the pop-up stalls or sessions happening in the local area.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler:

“I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting with members of the community during the face-to-face consultation sessions to hear what they think about the draft Health Service Plan.

“We know the Milton and Ulladulla region is growing and changing and so are the health needs of the local community.

“The draft Health Service Plan will help guide future health and hospital service delivery over the next 10 to 15 years, which is why it’s so important we hear directly from the community about their needs.”  

ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains:

“Communities play a critical role in the process of health service planning, and we’re proud to present the Milton Ulladulla Hospital draft Health Service Plan for feedback.

“We appreciate that local communities are passionate about Milton Ulladulla Hospital, and we are committed to working with them, our clinicians, and other key stakeholders in shaping the future of the facility. 

“As always, our primary goal is to ensure we can continue to provide high quality health services at Milton Ulladulla Hospital.”