Harmful products spread with full knowledge of former Liberal Government

Former Cabinet Minister Matt Kean knew that contaminated recycled waste products were being distributed across the environment and communities, but did not act to stop the practice. A Ministerial Briefing note, obtained under freedom of information laws, has revealed that in December 2021 the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) told the Government that recovered waste products, known as recovered fines, were “not fit for purpose” and “should not be reused broadly in the community”.

Between December 2021 and May 2022, the EPA halted planned changes to the recovered waste industry after pressure from commercial interests. No further regulatory action was taken by the EPA or Government to prevent asbestos, glass, plastics and heavy metals from being sold and distributed in consumer products across NSW.

Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said “Something happened between the end of 2021 and mid 2022 that allowed hazardous materials to continue to be sold and distributed by producers of recovered fines from waste,”

“This briefing note, signed by the then Environment Minister, recommended changes to the regulatory system for these products, recognised the harm that the materials could cause, and pushed back on the financial consequences for commercial interests. The EPA specifically recognised the potential financial impacts, but asserted that it’s primary function is protection of the environment and communities,”

“It is baffling, that by May 2022, the EPA cancelled any changes to the industry, and the Coalition Government did not act to make changes to protect the environment or communities from contaminated recovered fines,”

“The current Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman, made representations in 2021 on behalf of one of the companies that produced recovered fines that indicated the EPA’s evidence was flawed and out of date. But 3 years later there is still asbestos and other contaminants being sold at garden supply stores and being spread over playgrounds,”

“There is a case to be answered here, whether there has been undue political interference or plain incompetence, why was this industry not fixed at any of the times it was highlighted as a risk. The reviews in 2013, 2019 and 2020 all proved that the product was dangerous – but no one acted to stop it. This is a toxic legacy that needs to be explained and fixed. ” Ms Higginson said.

Labor rips up $1 billion mining opportunity in the name of activism

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has blocked approval for a $1 billion mining project at Regis McPhillamy’s goldmine near Blayney NSW by making a declaration under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth). It has been reported that the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council responsible for the area in question did not oppose the project and believed any possible impacts on heritage items would have been manageable.

Despite Minister Plibersek’s claim that the declaration would not stop the project, according to a statement released by Regis Resources today, the project is now unviable due to the declaration. The statement further claims that Minister Plibersek was well aware that this would be the outcome of any section 10 declaration she might make.

Shadow Environment Minister and Tasmanian Senator Jono Duniam said “the Albanese Government is the most anti-jobs, anti-development government Australia has ever had.”

“In a cost of living crisis, the last thing we need is for a government to ignore clear advice and unilaterally scrap a project like this, sabotaging hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue for the State Government.”

“In making this decision, Ms Plibersek is continuing her outrageous approach of stalling and rejecting multiple projects that have already passed stringent state laws. What’s the use in state laws when a Federal Government Minister can continually override them on a whim?”

“People wonder why you can’t get anything approved in Australia. Well, this is the exact reason. It’s green tape gone mad because of the Labor Government.”

Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald said Labor’s decision encouraged anti-mining activists to use cultural considerations for their own purposes.

“Genuine cultural concerns are being weaponised to further anti-mining interests which does nothing to help Aboriginal people, depriving them of royalties and involvement in the decision-making process,” she said.

“We’ve seen this with Santos’s Barossa gas pipeline and the Jabiluka uranium lease in the Northern Territory.”

“Activists are doing Labor’s dirty work of stopping mining and this is being noticed around the world as mining companies look to invest in other countries. The current approvals process is broken and has been hijacked by interests seeking to secure inner-city Greens preferences.”

“A Coalition Government will halve approval times for new projects and defund the Environmental Defenders Office.”

“This is a ‘death by stealth’ approach, where the Government can claim they aren’t targeting mining directly.”

Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Nampijinpa Price believed the decision was ironic in light of Anthony Albanese’s push for Indigenous economic development at the recent Garma festival.

“This is a perfect example of Indigenous Australians wanting to develop their land and utilise all that it has to offer, but the Albanese government explicitly stopping them from doing so. Far too regularly we are seeing the desire of traditional owners to become economically independent on their land being stymied in the name of activist ideology.”

Senator Nampijinpa Price also said the decision also illustrates the long-standing issue of the unreliable nature of the scheme governing Indigenous land in Australia which hinders local and international investment in projects that could bring significant employment and economic benefits to Indigenous people.

“We cannot hope to encourage Indigenous economic independence while at the same time allowing a Minister to block projects at the eleventh hour which have otherwise been through due process on the basis of a small number of objections. To do so poses a serious threat to economic development for Indigenous Australians,” said Senator Nampijinpa Price.

The national security questions Labor must answer

The Albanese Labor Government continues to duck accountability for keeping Australians safe.

Why can’t the Prime Minister, or his ministers, give a straight answer about the security checks that were conducted, or are being conducted, on the 1300 people from the Gaza war zone who were issued a tourist visa to come to Australia?

The Australian people deserve an answer to each of these questions:

  • Was security advice sought from ASIO before the government made the unprecedented decision to grant tourist visas to people from the Gaza war zone?
  • Is the Minister for Immigration aware of any concerns from security or intelligence agencies about any of the 1300 people who have arrived in Australia from the Gaza war zone?
  • Has any visa, of any of the 1300 people who are in Australia from the Gaza war zone on tourist visas, been cancelled?
  • Is it true no other government in Australia’s history issued people from a war zone, led by a terrorist organisation, a tourist visa without the checks that would normally be conducted for a refugee / humanitarian visa?

It is disingenuous for the new Immigration Minister to refuse to answer questions by claiming a national security interest when information about visa cancellations is regularly published by the Department of Home Affairs.

Labor’s failed Immigration Minister Andrew Giles granted tourist visas to 3000 Gazans. That is an entirely inappropriate visa for people coming to Australia from a war zone and territory controlled by a terrorist organisation.

Any government that was serious about protecting the safety of its people would conduct a rigorous vetting process on all people coming to Australia from a war zone controlled by a terrorist organisation. The Albanese Labor Government is doing no such thing.

The Albanese Labor Government has a terrible record on immigration and national security:

  • Labor botched the release of 178 detainees, including seven murderers, 37 sex offenders, and 72 violent offenders, following the NZYQ High Court decision.
  • Labor told the Parliament, and the public, those detainees were released on visas with strict conditions but FOI documents have proven that claim was false.
  • Labor issued a Ministerial Direction that allowed violent criminals and sex offenders to remain in Australia when they should have been deported.

Sydney New Year’s Test is a keeper

The NSW Government has today raised the bat after confirmation from Cricket Australia that the New Year’s Test will be held in Sydney for the next seven years.

Announcing the agreement with Cricket Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) today, the NSW Government is proud to support international men’s and women’s cricket matches in Sydney with ‘Summer of Cricket in Sydney’ marketing and partnership support to be delivered by Destination NSW.

The ‘Summer of Cricket in Sydney’ includes the following matches:

  • The international men’s New Year’s Test Match, to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground each year of the Term (New Year Test); and
  • Any other women’s international Test matches, men’s and women’s One Day International matches and/or T20 International matches scheduled by Cricket Australia to be staged in Sydney each year over the summer international cricket season.

The New Year’s Test is an event steeped in tradition for local, regional and international cricket fans who make the journey to Sydney each year to attend the event in early January, before starting the year proper.

The New Year’s Test has become more than just a cricket match, it’s the home of the Pink Test, which plays host to Jane McGrath Day, an important fundraising fixture for the McGrath Foundation to deliver the breast cancer nurses across Australia.

The Pink Test has also provided families impacted by breast cancer with an opportunity to commemorate their loved ones.

The NSW Government’s commitment to cricket is significant, investing over $95 million in cricket related programs over the past seven years.

This includes over $47.5 million for the new NSW Cricket Central facility located at Wilson Park, Sydney Olympic Park.

NSW Cricket Central is the home of Cricket NSW, with all its elite men’s and women’s cricket squads and junior player development and includes training wickets, ovals, indoor facilities, administration spaces and a cricket learning and community centre.

With India and England scheduled to tour Australia in 2024/25 and 2025/26 respectively, the landmark agreement with Cricket Australia will provide a significant boost to the NSW visitor economy, cementing Sydney as the nation’s premier destination for major sporting events.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“We’re pleased to announce the New Years Test is secure at the SCG for the next seven years, because let’s be clear, it belongs in Sydney.

“It’s a hallmark event on the state’s calendar – from Steve Waugh’s last over hundred, to watching Justin Langer, the late Shane Warne and our own local legend Glenn McGrath retire together at the Sydney test in 06/07, these are quintessential cricketing moments in Sydney.

“It is also the home of the ‘pink test’, an important event that raises awareness and funds to support breast cancer nurses and care for patients across Australia.”

Minister for Tourism, John Graham said:

“Keeping the New Year’s Test here is good for Sydney but, I tell you what, it’s good for test cricket.

“This coming summer sees the renewal of one of international cricket’s greatest rivalries between Australia and India.”

Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said:

“The New Year’s Test has become so much more than a match at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.

“The Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day has become an important event for so many. Locking in the Test for another seven years will allow this great tradition to grow and protect the important legacy of this fixture.

“We can now look forward to welcoming the Indian team this summer, which is guaranteed to deliver blockbuster entertainment on and off the pitch.

Nick Hockley, Chief Executive Officer, Cricket Australia said:

“We are delighted that the SCG will continue to host the historic NRMA Insurance New Year’s Test for the next seven years.

“We are enormously grateful to the NSW Government whose support will help us to enhance this already iconic event, create brilliant experiences for fans and maximise economic outcomes for the state.”

More teaching and learning hours as teachers move back on class

NSW public school students will have more time learning from the state’s expert teachers from next year as the Minns Labor Government works to rebuild the public education system and lift educational outcomes for hundreds of thousands of students.

Hundreds of deputy principals, assistant principals and head teachers will be resuming teaching in classrooms, following a review.

From next year, teachers in additional deputy principal positions in all but the state’s most complex settings will be expected to teach between 2 and 2.5 days a week, while additional head teachers and assistant principals are expected to be in the classroom 3.5 to 4 days a week.

The move will amount to an estimated extra 237,000 hours taught in the state’s public schools every year.

The decision is designed to correct the inequity in teaching time of executive teachers created on ad hoc basis under the Liberals and Nationals’ Local Schools, Local Decisions policy.

Despite 10,000 merged or cancelled classes in NSW public schools each day, the former government created thousands of extra executive teachers, taking them out of the classroom as student outcomes fell.

A Department of Education review into executive teachers last year found 1500 executive teachers were not teaching timetabled classes at all, while a further 2400 were teaching fewer hours than required.

Since coming to office, the NSW Labor Government has tackled head on the teacher shortage crisis it inherited from the former government.

At the beginning of this year teacher vacancies fell by 20 per cent as the Labor government’s record pay rise for teachers – delivered last year – plus a range of effective recruitment measures deliver progress.

The Department of Education will continue to work with the NSW Teachers Federation to ensure teaching time, wherever possible for executive teachers across the system, is in line with their industrial agreements.  

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The former Liberal government took some of our most experienced teachers off class at a time when we had a chronic teacher shortage.

“We are correcting that by bringing them back into the classroom where their experience and knowledge is needed the most.

“The historic pay rise delivered to teachers last year as well as our decision to make thousands of teachers permanent members of staff is helping to turn the system around, but our students have been missing out on being taught by some of our expert teachers.

“We have a lot of work to do to improve the declining educational outcomes left by the Liberals and Nationals, and we can’t afford to have our teachers with the greatest expertise off class.”

Veterans remembered 51 years since Australia’s withdrawal from Vietnam War

Minister for Veterans David Harris will stand alongside Vietnam veterans at the Cenotaph from 11am today to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who served in one of Australia’s longest military engagements.

Vietnam Veterans Day takes place on 18 August, the day of the withdrawal of Australian forces in 1973, to remember the service and sacrifice of all who fought in Vietnam.

The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam during July and August 1962 was the beginning of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

The majority of this deployment comprised army personnel, but significant numbers of air force and navy personnel, and some civilians also took part. During its 11 years of involvement, more than 60,000 Australians fought in Vietnam, at a cost of 523 who died and almost 2,400 wounded.

Vietnam veteran and RSL NSW immediate past President Ray James, will attend today’s commemoration to reflect on the contributions he and his Navy comrades made during his service.

Mr James was one of 50 veterans from Vietnam whose stories were published by the Anzac Memorial last year during the 50th anniversary of Australia’s extraction from Vietnam. Read more about Ray’s service here.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Today we come together to pay tribute and remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans who fought in Vietnam for more than a decade.

“Over 60,000 Australians fought in Vietnam and sadly 523 gave the ultimate sacrifice. Almost 2,400 were wounded, with all involved carrying the scars and memories that only armed combat can bring.

“We thank them for their service.”

Vietnam veteran Ray James said:

“I was 17 on my first trip to Vietnam on HMAS Sydney, ferrying troops to and from Vung Tau port.

“Between 1966 and 1968 I did six trips to Vietnam and a seventh in 1972 on HMAS Torrens. We’d offload 400 or 500 troops, and we’d bring 400 or 500 troops back home. We sailed with equipment, vehicles, and stores.

“Today we honour those veterans who lost their lives during the battles in Vietnam, returned home wounded, ill, or injured, lost their lives in the years since they returned, and still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service since Australia withdrew from the Vietnam War 51 years ago.”

440 New Government Apprentice and Trainee Positions Opened

The Minns Labor Government is creating another 440 apprentice and trainee positions across 67 government agencies and state owned corporations over the next 12 months, as it continues the roll-out of the three-year, $93.5 million election commitment to rebuild the skilled workforce across the state, including in over 200 in regional communities.

Coinciding with National Skills Week (19 – 25 August), the 440 new jobs emphasises the importance of skills development and vocational training in shaping the state’s workforce.

The program cements the government as a leader in the employment of apprentices and trainees, and builds skills capacity within the public sector, by employing 1000 apprentices and trainees over three year, learning the skills to work in vital sectors such as Information Technology, Health and Electricity Distribution.

With broad skills shortages across the state, apprenticeships and traineeships provide a unique mix of paid on-the-job training with formal study that makes them vital additions to the future NSW workforce. In its first year, the program successfully employed 221 apprentices and trainees across 31 agencies, including Sydney Trains, Essential Energy, NSW Department of Education and NSW Health Pathology.

At Royal North Shore Hospital Health Pathology, two trainees supported by the program are already making a significant impact, including Jaime Reyes, who is part of the collections team.

Mr Reyes is living with a disability that has presented challenges to gaining full-time work and this program has provided him with valuable career opportunities.

A further 340 positions will be available in the final round of the program in the 2025-26 financial year.

To learn more about the program and apply for a position, please visit The 1,000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:

“This Government is committed to providing people with valuable training and career opportunities within the public sector.

“This next round of apprentice and trainee roles will see more than 100 people enter the NSW Pathology workforce across the state.

“NSW Pathology is an incredible place to work, with plenty of rewarding challenges and opportunities and I really welcome this program.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“This announcement, coinciding with National Skills Week, underscores the vital role that skills development and vocational training play in shaping our future workforce.

“Last year’s investment has facilitated the creation of hundreds of roles across 31 agencies, including key players like NSW Health Pathology.

“Through the 1000 apprentices and trainees program we are building skills capacity across our government agencies and offering opportunities for young people like Jaime to gain formal qualifications.

“This is just another example of how the Minns Labor Government is directly tackling the skills shortage by investing in and training the next generation of workers.”

NSW Health Pathology trainee, Jaime Reyes said:

“Prior to working at Royal North Shore Hospital as a trainee, my only knowledge of what blood collectors did was that they collected blood for my local GP. I am now learning there is a lot more to the job, and it is about working with people and making sure they feel comfortable.

“To be able to build relationships where people can see me as someone who is empathetic and help them through getting their blood collection done, this was someone that I want to be.”

$24 million to rebuild flood impacted Central West

A total of 21 projects to repair community infrastructure in four severely flood impacted Central West NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) have received assistance thanks to an almost $24 million investment by the Australian and NSW Governments.

The Community Assets Program 2024 ­has supported the Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes Shire Councils to repair, restore and improve the resilience of community infrastructure directly damaged by storms and floods from August and September 2022.

Successful projects across the four councils include the repair of flood damaged parks, showgrounds, footpaths, pools, sporting fields and sport amenities.

More than $8 million is being invested in Cabonne Shire Council for projects such as the relocation of the Molong hockey fields and the restoration of Eugowra’s pre-school, Memorial Park and pool.

Forbes is also set to receive over $8 million for projects in the Forbes lake area, including improvements to amenities and upgraded footpaths that will ensure the community can continue to enjoy this much-loved precinct.

Find more information and a full list of successful projects.

The program is jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with project funding to be administered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“Communities in Central West NSW were some of the hardest hit by the August and September 2022 floods, and both levels of government are working together to help them recover from and prepare for future events.  

“We’re helping rebuild community facilities like parks, sporting and recreational facilities to a more resilient standard so they can withstand increasingly frequent and intense severe weather events.” 

“We know that there is more work to be done, and we are committed to supporting Central Western communities to not only recover but rebuild for the long term.” 

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

“This shows what is possible when all levels of government work together in the best interests of communities.  

“This funding is delivering on what it was intended to do – help Councils build back better infrastructure for their communities to enjoy.

“Repairing community infrastructure is an essential part of getting communities back on track while helping to build community resilience.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:

“For the four significantly flood-impacted councils, strong and resilient community infrastructure will be crucial in bringing people together and supporting the long road to recovery.”

“By assisting to repair, restore and improve flood damaged parks, showgrounds, footpaths, pools and sporting fields and amenities the Australian and NSW Governments are helping to rebuild both the communities and the vibrant spirit that makes them great places to live.”

“The Community Assets Program is not just building back for now – we’re building back better for the future by improving the resilience of these essential assets.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“The devastating effects of the November 2022 floods cannot be overstated, and the communities of Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan, and Parkes shires continue to feel the profound impact of this event.”

“It is encouraging to witness meaningful progress in the recovery efforts. This is the result of strong collaboration between local, state, and federal governments, alongside a number of their agencies.”

“I am confident that the newly announced funded projects will be embraced by these communities. Not only will they restore vital infrastructure, but they will also strengthen our resilience against any future flood events.”

20 years of bstreetsmart: Transforming road safety education for over 227,000 students

Australia’s largest road safety event, bstreetsmart, is marking 20 years of helping educate young road users about the responsibilities and potential risks of getting behind the wheel.

Almost 25,000 students aged from 16 to 18 years old will participate in an immersive education day at Sydney Olympic Park, from August 20-22.

Founded in 2004 by Westmead Hospital trauma nurses Julie Seggie and Stephanie Wilson, bstreetsmart includes testimonials and real-life simulated crash scenarios, which aim to reduce fatalities and injuries as a result of road accidents.

In 2023, young adults aged between 17–25 years old represented just 13 percent of all licence holders but accounted for 19 percent of all drivers and riders involved in fatal crashes.

In its inaugural year, bstreetsmart hosted 10 schools and was attended by 464 students. Two decades on, more than 227,000 NSW high school students have attended bstreetsmart, many recalling the lasting impact of the event, which is updated each year based on trends and issues observed in hospital emergency departments.

Transport for NSW has supported the event since 2015 and is contributing $300,000 to this year’s program.

For more information, visit bstreetsmart

Minister for Roads John Graham:

“Learning to drive is an exciting time for young people and bstreetsmart is a great way for new drivers to learn about the responsibilities that come with getting behind the wheel.

“This event helps drive home the message that there can be life-altering impacts for decisions made while driving.”

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“bstreetsmart aims to prevent or reduce the deaths and devastating injuries that our healthcare system sadly sees on a regular basis.”

“By helping educate young drivers on the severe consequences of road trauma, we hope to see fewer young people in road crashes and ultimately, save lives.”

“Students and teachers learn about road trauma through simulated crash scenarios, interactive displays, theatre sports performances, powerful presentations from survivors, and personal accounts from family members of people killed in crashes.”

Minister for Police, Yasmin Catley:

“Learning to drive is an exciting time for young people, and this initiative will teach our young drivers just how dangerous our roads can be.”

“Young people make up a huge percentage of drivers and riders involved in fatal crashes on our roads, and it isn’t enough for just the police to keep them in check.”  

“This program will help young people take responsibility for their actions, hold each other accountable, and set a good example when they’re behind the wheel.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis:

“This event is an innovative and relatable way of demonstrating to our new drivers the responsibilities that come with driving.”

“As we celebrate 20 years of this important program, its impact continues to grow, thanks to the vision of two trauma nurses from Westmead Hospital who made it their purpose to get these powerful safety messages through to young people.”

Westmead Hospital Trauma Nurse, Julie Seggie:

“Driver distractions such as mobile phones, conversations, and loud music play a large role in many of the incidents we see in the emergency department. As nurses, and for many of us, as parents, we wanted to find a way to prevent death and the often-devastating injuries that occur as a result of road crashes.”

“Teaching prevention in any field of health is challenging, particularly when it comes to teenagers! What has highlighted the impact we have had with this event, is when we have met young adults who attended as students, and who talk to us about how bstreetsmart influenced them and their friends.”

“It is an amazing accomplishment to have an event run for 20 years. The dedication and determination of a select group of trauma nurses, doctors, and in particular Dr Ken Harrison, Westmead Staff Specialist, has been crucial to our success.”

Visit to Australia by President-Elect of Indonesia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, will welcome Indonesian Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto to Australia from 19 to 20 August 2024.

This is President-elect Prabowo’s first visit to Australia since Indonesia’s general election in February 2024.

Prime Minister Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Marles will host President-elect Prabowo in Canberra. They will discuss Australia’s continued commitment to working in partnership with Indonesia on shared economic, security and net zero transition priorities.

Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest partners and this year our countries celebrate 75 years of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Indonesia and Australia are the closest of partners and I welcome the opportunity to meet with President-elect Prabowo ahead of his inauguration in October.

“My Government is committed to working with Indonesia to shape the type of region we both seek – one that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, and respectful of sovereignty.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles

“I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know President-elect Prabowo during his time as Defence Minister, in which we have been making great strides in our two countries defence cooperation.

“Australia and Indonesia are working closer together than we have before and are expanding the scope and complexity of our exercises together as we address shared regional challenges.”