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GREENS CONDEMN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY’S NEW RESTRICTIONS ON CAMPUS PROTESTS

Greens Deputy Leader and Higher Education Spokesperson has responded to new campus protest rules imposed by Sydney University which include bans on camping, three days’ notice for any demonstration and requirements to obtain approval to use megaphones or even to attach banners to university buildings.

Breaches of the rules allow the Sydney University to dissolve protests, remove property, and direct students and staff to leave parts of campus.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“Students and staff should not need permission to exercise their fundamental right to protest on their own campus.

“What we are seeing here is a despicable attempt by neoliberal, corporate university management to stifle student activism and shut down political expression.

“Staunch campus activism has changed the world. Universities campuses should always be political spaces where students and staff are encouraged to speak out on issues of social, racial and environmental justice.

“Sydney University students campaign for Indigenous rights, an end to South African apartheid and the Vietnam War. They were on the right side of history then, and they are on the right side of history now with their protests for a free Palestine.

“Sydney University is trying to smother activism and these rules are a shameful attempt to quash further protests against the genocide in Palestine.

“Sydney University must dump these shameful anti-protest rules, which disturbingly seem to have been introduced without consultation or notice.”

720 SAFE PLACES FOR WOMEN A DROP IN A VERY LARGE OCEAN OF NEED

Labor is once again announcing something that isn’t new or adequate funding for frontline services. Meanwhile, Destroy the Joint report that at least 40 women have been killed by family and domestic violence this year.

Australian Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women, Larissa Waters

“Labor’s announcement today is yet another re-hash of previously committed funding. The 19 projects that will be constructed will be done using $100 million in funding announced in the 2022-23 October Budget.

“The construction of 720 safe places is welcome and desperately needed, but will accommodate at most a mere three percent of women and children seeking housing. Moreover, waiting three years until 2027 for these facilities to be built is cold comfort to women and children being killed by family and domestic violence now.

“This government keeps making announcements, but there’s never any new or adequate funding for frontline services, which is what the women’s safety sector and this crisis of men’s violence demands.

“In 2022-23,73,287 people experiencing family and domestic violence presented to homelessness services. 720 safe places is a drop in a very large ocean of need – at most it could help three percent of people who need help – and they won’t provide anyone safety until 2027.

“With no new funding announced today for crisis accommodation or affordable housing, Labor is forcing women and children to remain in violent households, because there is nowhere for them to go.”

GREENS RESPOND TO APPOINTMENT OF ANTISEMITISM ENVOY

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Antiracism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the Government needs to urgently implement the National anti-racism strategy and fully fund the Race Discrimination Commissioner to ensure all forms of racism are combated.

Senator Faruqi:

“Combating Antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism is an important priority, but it seems like the Government is making policy up on the run.

“We already have a Race Discrimination Commissioner which is empowered to fight all forms of racism.

“Labor is trying to reinvent the wheel instead of backing the solution they already have. The Government should adequately fund the Race Discrimination Commissioner to urgently complete and implement the national anti-racism strategy rather than meddling with its mandate by creating new positions that eat into its remit.

“You can see how little Labor has considered this approach by the fact that the Islamophobia Register wasn’t consulted and the anti Islamophobia envoy was hastily added on to the announcement without even a candidate. Muslims facing Islamophobia in this country should not be an afterthought.

“We need a united effort to defeat racism in this country, which is so pervasive and deep seated, especially against First Nations people. The best way to dismantle Antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other type of racism is by working in solidarity with groups facing hate and racism.

“Australia still hasn’t reckoned with the Christchurch mosque massacre where a man from this country with an extreme Islamophobic ideology killed 51 Muslims.

“If the Albanese Government was serious about tackling racism, they would drop their Trump style immigration policies, stop blaming international students and migrants for their own policy failures and end their own Islamophobic crusade against Senator Payman.”

50 Years of protecting Australia from dangerous nuclear proliferation

This month marks 50 years since the landmark establishment of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO).

In July 1974, the Whitlam Labor Government showed global leadership by establishing what is now referred to as ASNO following Australia’s ratification of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

ASNO was one of the first agencies of its kind dedicated to preventing nuclear war and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

The establishment of ASNO and Australia’s ratification of the NPT has demonstrated Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation to the international community and helped bolster global efforts towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

Over the past 50 years, ASNO been implementing the highest standards of nuclear safeguards to help prevent the misuse of dangerous nuclear material and to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

ASNO has also been central to strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, leading Australia’s efforts to implement the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). This includes hosting 21 stations as part of the international monitoring system, which is critical to detecting nuclear weapons tests, for example, in North Korea.

ASNO is now working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and AUKUS partners to develop a first-of-its-kind safeguard arrangement for Australia’s conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine program that sets the highest non-proliferation standard.

ASNO will continue to work to strengthen global non-proliferation verification standards and support regional partners implement their non-proliferation commitments.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia has a proud history of advocating for non-proliferation and disarmament – and the Albanese Government is continuing this legacy.
“Given that it is nuclear weapons that most risk catastrophe, we must work harder to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
“We will continue to work with others to strengthen the NPT and urge progress on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.”

Giles the “drone” has deliberately misled Parliament

An FOI request released today clearly shows Immigration Miniter Andrew Giles deliberately misled the Parliament.

Minister Giles received clear written advice from Home Affairs that drones were not used to monitor immigration detention detainees at large in the community just hours before he made the false claim on television that they were.

In a Sky News interview on 30 May, Minister Giles said:

“There is a quarter of a billion dollars that we’ve invested in supporting our law enforcement agencies to enforce, and that’s enabled things like using drones to keep track of these people we know.”

Five days later, Minister Giles made the embarrassing confession in the Parliament that drones were not being used to monitor detainees and he blamed Home Affairs staff for the mistake.

He told the Parliament during Question Time on 3 June:

“Last week, in an interview on Sky News, I did state that Operation AEGIS was using drones. I relied on information provided by my department at the time, which has since been clarified.”

The FOI shows that Minister Giles received written advice from his department that contains no mention of drones being used to monitor detainees.

The FOI, published on the Right to Know website, requested all documents from Home Affairs that Minister Giles relied upon when he made the incorrect claim that drones were being used to monitor detainees.

In response, Home Affairs provided an email sent by Associate Secretary Emma Cassar at 9:39am on 30 May, just before Giles’ Sky interview at 11:15am, that said:

“Quick points on case monitoring in the community: – Drone footage over accommodation – to ascertain a) property risks, b) proximity to other properties/community/risk settings (eg: licenced venues).”

Click here to read the full email from Home Affairs to Giles.

Click here to read the full FOI request correspondence.

Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Dan Tehan said today’s FOI revelation heaped more embarrassment on a Minister who had demonstrated he was not up to the job.

“What is clear from this FOI is that Andrew Giles has deliberately misled the Parliament,” Mr Tehan said.

“One read of the very short and very clear advice from his department and it is obvious that drones were not being used to monitor detainees at large in the community.

“What this FOI proves is that Minister Giles was throwing the department under the bus when he said he was provided advice that required clarification. The advice was very clear and required no clarification. Minister Giles just got it wrong.

“It is even more unbelievable that it took Minister Giles five days to correct his mistake when the advice from his department was written in black and white, suggesting Minister Giles was again hiding from accountability and hoping to avoid responsibility.

“Minister Giles has a track record of dodging responsibility. He refuses to front the media when things go wrong, and this is not the first time he has thrown his department under the bus.

“But it’s the coverup that gets you, and Minister Giles has been caught deliberately misleading the Parliament by blaming Home Affairs staff for his own incompetence.

“Andrew Giles should do the honourable thing and apologise to his department and then resign.

“It has passed time for the Prime Minister to sack this incompetent minister.

“It is now beyond a joke that Giles is still in his job and still making mistakes.

“It just shows how weak the Prime Minister is that he will not sack his factional ally.”

New program to enhance inclusive tourism offering

City of Newcastle is inviting businesses to participate in a program designed to grow Newcastle’s position as an inclusive tourism destination and its share of the $6.8 billion accessible tourism market.

Expressions of interest are now open for businesses to participate in the free program, with 20 to be selected based on their relevance to the visitor economy.

Newcastle Tourism Industry Group Chairman Dominic May, City of Newcastle Destination & Economy Manager Georgia Lazzari, Councillor Margaret Wood, Newcastle Business Improvement Association representative Lucy Glover and City of Newcastle’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee Co-Chair Andrew Vodic.Those businesses will receive practical advice on how to improve their accessibility for tourists with a broad range of needs, including mobility and vision, sensory, intellectual and neurological disabilities.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said improving the accessibility of Newcastle is an ongoing priority.

“Access and inclusion are key priorities for City of Newcastle and we want the millions of Australians who have a disability to look to our city as the place to visit for a holiday,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Enhancing our inclusive tourism offering will not just attract more visitors and tap into new markets, it will also make our city a better place to live work and play for locals.”

City of Newcastle has appointed The Visitor Inclusion Group, a specialist consulting firm in the field of accessible and inclusive tourism, to develop the framework, which will help local operators better understand the requirements of visitors with a disability.

Councillor Margaret Wood, co-chair of City of Newcastle’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee said accessible tourism is the fastest growing travel sector in Australia.

“The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that in 2022 around 5.5 million Australians were living with a disability,” Cr Wood said.

“Australian travellers with accessibility needs spent $6.8 billion on domestic travel in the 2022/23 financial year.

“This project aims to encourage improvement and inclusion in the accessible tourism sector, helping local business to find ways to be an inclusive destination for everyone.

“Together, we can make our city an accessible and inclusive destination for all.”

Newcastle Tourism Industry Group Chairman Dominic May encouraged Newcastle tourism operators to get on board.

“This initiative will help to make Newcastle accessible to all visitors and provide a much needed boost to local businesses,” Mr May said.

“It’s important for all of our tourism providers to do everything we can to be part of the growing accessible tourism market.”

Expressions of interest close at 5pm on 22 July.

To submit an EOI visit: www.visitnewcastle.com.au/industry-resources/expressionofinterest

Improving the accessibility of Newcastle is a key part of City of Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan and Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Mental Health support boosted for hospitality staff

The NSW Government is investing in mental health support for employees in hospitality and tourism venues across NSW to improve mental health and wellbeing.

The NSW Government’s once-off contribution of $250,000 will help the Raising the Bar Foundation design and deliver The Barstool Project, a custom mental health training package for employees in the hospitality and tourism industry in NSW.

The Barstool Project is an education initiative aimed at reaching 10,000 employees across the state, improving education and awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues in the industry.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park:

“I’m really impressed by the proactive work Lachlan, Daniel and the Raising the Bar Foundation team are doing to increase mental health support and driving a cultural shift in the hospitality industry.

“We know that over two in five (44%) Australians over 16 are estimated to have experienced a mental illness at some point in their life.

“It highlights the need for a concerted effort from the NSW Government and industry leaders like the Raising the Bar Foundation to ensure that people are equipped to stay mentally healthy and that they feel comfortable reaching out for help if they are struggling.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

“Whether you work in an office, out on a farm, or in a pub, a healthy mind is important for us all.

“I have been working with Lachlan, Daniel and the Raising the Bar foundation team on this innovative approach to improving mental health awareness for some time.

“Providing people in the hospitality and tourism sectors with the skills they need to identify mental health and wellbeing issues will not only benefit their colleagues but also help their customers as well.”

Raising the Bar Foundation Chairperson Lachlan Stevens:

“I’m very grateful the NSW Government is supporting our organisation’s goals to increase mental health support across the hospitality and tourism industry.

“Our mission is to create safer, healthier environments within hospitality venues for employees, employers and patrons, with an aim to shift the culture of these establishments back to human connection and community.”

Raising the Bar Foundation General Manager Daniel Chin:

“The support from the NSW Government is incredibly welcome and will expand our ability to empower individuals to understand and manage their mental health effectively.

“Raising the Bar Foundation is about leading the charge in eradicating the stigma around mental health and this contribution will help a great deal.”

World leading Edutech congress and Expo returns to Sydney

The latest technology and trends shaping the future of the EdTech sector will be on show in Sydney next year when one of the world’s largest education events returns to NSW.

Sydney will host the EduTECH Congress and Expo with events occurring from 2025-2027, generating an anticipated $24 million in direct expenditure for the NSW economy over the next three years.

Bringing together more than 10,000 academics, training providers and innovators, the event will provide the opportunity for industry leaders to share their insights and groundbreaking technologies that are changing the way people teach and learn around the globe.

The event attracts more than 350 speakers and includes hundreds of exhibitions with tech demonstrations covering the latest in developments at the cutting edge of education including artificial intelligence and augmented reality, robotics and 3D printing.

The event will highlight NSW as a world-leading EdTech destination and showcase local businesses to investors and global clients to support their growth and exports into new international markets.

The NSW Government was supported by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) to secure the EduTECH Congress and Expo, with next year’s event to be held 12-13 June 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney.

For further information visit https://www.study.nsw.gov.au/industry/education-technology/

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Sydney is the natural home for the EduTECH Congress and Expo – we hosted the first event back in 2011, and while it’s moved around the country since then, it’s great to have it back in the city where it all began.

“NSW has a diverse EdTech sector – we’re home to 273 companies that are transforming the way teachers teach and students learn, and we look forward to showcasing many of their innovative products and services at the expo next year.”

Acting Minister for Jobs and Tourism David Harris:

“NSW is a leading hub for education technology with the sector employing 7,300 people and worth $1.4 billion annually, which represents 39 per cent of Australia’s EdTech revenue.

“Securing the EduTECH Congress and Expo for the next three years is a great outcome, expected to inject $24 million into the NSW economy.

“Business events like these not only help develop the sector, they inject revenue into businesses across the visitor economy.”

BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith:

“The anchoring of the EduTECH Congress and Expo with the NSW EdTech Summit in Sydney for the next three years will generate innovation and productivity outcomes for years to come.

“The need to skill, reskill and upskill our future workforce is crucial if we are to be at the forefront of transitioning our nation’s economy. Sydney, as a digital innovation leader in the education sector, is the perfect location to showcase our state’s brightest minds and achievements in the field, attract more students to our excellent institutions, and to grow local and APAC collaboration opportunities.”

EduTECH Project Director Arron Penman:

“We’re thrilled to bring the EduTECH Congress and Expo back to Sydney as the anchor event for the NSW EdTech Summit.

“This unique and exciting platform fosters collaboration and innovation, positioning NSW as a global leader in education technology.”

Experienced investigator to lead inquiry into GRNSW

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris is appointing experienced mediator and investigator The Hon. Lea Drake as an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) to lead an inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW).

The inquiry will examine complaints about GRNSW’s governance and operations, track safety and animal welfare isssues, including claims made by whistleblowers.

Ms Drake is an accomplished investigator with more than two decades’ experience as a member of the Fair Work Commission and inaugural Commissioner of Integrity of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, as well as sitting on civil, administrative and sports misconduct related tribunals.

The inquiry will be conducted in accordance with GWIC’s powers under Part 8 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 (the Act) and cover issues including:

Greyhound welfare and the care of greyhounds by GRNSW, including adoption and rehoming programs
GRNSW processes and management, including procurement and recruitment practices
GRNSW reporting and accuracy in relation to greyhounds
GRNSW management’s response to complaints or concerns about organisational and workplace culture and conduct.

Other steps already taken by the Minister to ensure the highest standards of integrity and animal welfare include:

Referring serious allegations where appropriate to the relevant authorities for consideration, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption
Updating Regulations under the Act to give the Minister more flexibility to make an order to remove the GRNSW Board and appoint an administrator in circumstances where he has lost confidence with the Board
Requested the GRNSW Board show cause to the Minister as to why its members should not be stood down from their positions
Asked GWIC to conduct a separate review of claims about the operation of GRNSW’s Wyee rehoming facility following concerns about the treatment of greyhounds housed there. The Minister will also refer this report to the Acting Commissioner to consider along with the matters above.

The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry can be found here.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“I am absolutely committed to ensuring a competitive, responsible and sustainable greyhound racing industry, with the highest standards of animal welfare and integrity.

“It is important that the governing bodies and senior leadership of the racing codes meet these standards.

“I take these various concerns about GRNSW very seriously and this inquiry, using the full investigative powers of GWIC, will conduct a thorough and wide-ranging review of all relevant issues.

“Ms Drake is eminently qualified to lead this inquiry. Further details about the inquiry, its procedures and conduct of hearings will be made in due course. The Acting Commissioner is to report back to me by 13 December 2024.

“The NSW Government will continue to work with GRNSW and industry participants to ensure the viability and longevity of the industry in NSW and to make it the best it can be.”

Council performance to be ranked to meet housing targets

The Minns Government is introducing a range of measures to hold local and State Government accountable for the approval of more housing as NSW works towards its commitment of 377,000 homes by mid 2029 under the National Housing Accord.

The NSW Government has been clear that addressing the housing crisis is a shared responsibility, and all levels of government must do their part.

To ramp up housing supply across the state, the NSW Government has introduced planning reforms to build more homes and build better communities.

As councils assess approximately 85 per cent of all residential development applications, we’ve introduced a new Statement of Expectations and league tables as their performance is critical to confronting the housing crisis.

In addition, State agencies concurrence and referral timeframes will be published.

Regionally Significant Development Applications referral times to planning panels will be published from August, State Significant Development assessment timeframes for infill affordable housing will be published from September 2024 and TOD accelerated precinct assessment timeframes in 2025.

This data will monitor the State Government’s performance so that it also is held accountable.

To provide further transparency around the Government’s expectations, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has released a new Statement of Expectations Order that establishes timeframes for councils on development assessment, planning proposals and strategic planning.

The council league table and Statement of Expectations Order are part of the NSW Government’s Faster Assessments program. This includes $200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.

These financial incentives will go towards grants for councils to fund more green space such as parks, sporting facilities and smaller pocket parks, plus maintenance of local streets and footpaths which councils maintain.

If a council consistently underperforms over time, the Minister for Local Government has the authority to issue a Performance Improvement Order. A Performance Improvement Order outlines the actions that the Minister requires to be taken to improve the performance of the council.

These measures have been established to speed up the delivery of homes for people in every stage of life, whether it be a young person, a family or a downsizer.

To view the council league table, visit here

To view the updated Statement of Expectations, visit here

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“We are committed to building a better NSW with more homes so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live. The Government has announced a suite of housing reforms over the past 12 months aimed at delivering more homes faster.

“We are now introducing new performance standards and monitoring because if we don’t measure performance then we can’t monitor it properly.

“Councils approve the vast majority of residential development in our State, so tracking their performance is critical if we together want to meet our housing targets. But we will also track the performance of the State government as well to hold ourselves to account.

“The updated Statement of Expectations, alongside improved monitoring, reporting, support and compliance initiatives will help councils and the State to speed up development assessments and improve transparency and accountability in the planning process.

“The NSW Government will work collaboratively with councils and support them to meet assessment expectations.

“There is $200 million in financial incentives available to councils to help achieve housing targets and improve planning performance including development application timeframes. The funding will help deliver local infrastructure including roads, open spaces and community facilities for growing communities.”

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig:

“Local government has a critical role to play in approving housing across NSW.

“The State Government is instituting a range of measures to support councils but where there is continuing underperformance despite that support, I will step in.

“As Minister for Local Government I have the authority to issue Performance Improvements Orders to councils to rectify issues of ongoing underperformance.

“The NSW Government is serious about addressing the housing crisis and while this is a last resort, we will explore every avenue available to us in order to build more homes.”