16 News – Page 518 – Newcastle and Australian News

Cyber targeting of UK democratic institutions

The Australian Government joins the United Kingdom and other international partners in expressing serious concerns about malicious cyber activities by China state-backed actors targeting UK democratic institutions and parliamentarians.

The persistent targeting of democratic institutions and processes has implications for democratic and open societies like Australia. This behaviour is unacceptable and must stop.

Australia calls on all states to act responsibly in cyberspace.

Australia’s electoral systems were not compromised by the cyber campaigns targeting the UK. Australia remains well positioned to continue to resist and address threats to our electoral roll. This is critical to maintaining public trust in our democracy.

The Australian Electoral Commission has strong measures in place to ensure Australia’s electoral roll is secure. This includes working closely with members of the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce, to ensure Australia’s systems are protected from the threat of foreign interference.

The Government continues to invest in protecting our public institutions and strengthening our national cyber security defences, including through the implementation of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.

Australia will continue to cooperate with our international partners to promote international law and the agreed framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and call out states if they act contrary to these international obligations and expectations.

LABOR’S CRUEL NEW PLAN FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM IS A DESPERATE AND FUTILE ATTEMPT TO OUTFLANK THE COALITION

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing its race to the bottom on migration and refugee rights today by rushing through legislation that will unfairly punish and jail some of the most marginalised people in the country.

The Migration Legislation (Removal and other Measures) Bill 2024 is designed to force unwilling people to apply for passports to their countries of origin, like Russia, Iran or Sri Lanka, despite their fear of arrest and persecution on return. If people do not comply and facilitate their return to regimes that are known to be brutal, the Government intends to jail them for non-cooperation.

The Bill gives the Immigration Minister the power to direct people in Australia who are legally on a ‘removal pathway’ to take certain actions, If the person fails to do this they will face criminal offences, with a minimum year in prison and up to five.

This means a mother and her children who fled a country like Iran, who went through an unfair refugee determination system Labor is currently dismantling, will all be ordered to seek a passport from the country they fled or face years in jail.

The Bill also creates a list of countries where people can no longer seek a visa in Australia, similar to US President Trump’s 2017 travel ban.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Immigration said:

“The Albanese Labor Government is desperately trying to outflank the Coalition to the right, in a cruel contest they can never win.

“This Bill will undoubtedly break up families and betray the multicultural values that Australians are so proud of.

“Jailing mums who refuse to return their kids to cruel regimes like Iran or Russia never used to be a Labor value, at least until today.

“Even the Coalition didn’t think of this in their decade of creative cruelty towards refugees and people seeking asylum.

“This is part of an ongoing cruelty agenda from Labor as they are scheming to come up with novel ways to punish and harm people seeking asylum in this country.

“The Greens will be joining with millions of Australians who want fairness and decency in our immigration and asylum laws and oppose these changes in both houses of Parliament,” Shoebridge said.

SECRETIVE NDIS CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT

NDIS Legislation is to be introduced into the House of Representatives tomorrow, Wednesday 27th March 2024.

Senator Steele-John Greens Spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services, says:

“This NDIS Legislation has been done behind closed doors, with non-disclosure agreements abound. Making advocates sign non-disclosure agreements is not genuine co-design.

“The question on my mind is why has the Labor Government prepared NDIS legislation behind closed doors? What have they got to hide?

“Let’s be very clear; there should be no changes to the principle of Choice and Control that underpins our NDIS. Disabled people should continue to have choice and control over the people who are paid to support them.

“Today, we have seen Premiers, Chief Ministers and the Federal Government bickering at the 11th hour over the future of disability supports in this country. The time for bickering is over, and the time for ensuring these supports work for disabled people is now.

“No disabled person should be pushed by abled-bodied politicians from the NDIS into the vast gaping hole that is non-NDIS disability supports in this country.”

EMISSIONS BILL FACING ROADBLOCK FOLLOWING LABOR’S GAS FAST-TRACK

The Greens say that Labor’s continued attempts to weaken First Nations voices and fast-track new gas projects is a “roadblock” to the government passing national vehicle emissions standards.

Prior to the watering down of the NVES, the Greens offered to pass the bill as initially proposed if Labor ceased trying to work with Peter Dutton’s Liberals to fast-track offshore gas using the OPGGS Amendments bill.

Since then, Labor and the Liberals have voted together to gag debate on the OPGGS bill and rush it through Parliament.

With details of the NVES legislation still not public, modelling on the emissions reductions of the weakened bill is not yet available. However, in its original form, the climate gains from the plan would have been wiped out by a single project slated for approval under the OPGGS gas fast-track – the Santos’ Barossa project, which will release 380Mt of C02-e by 2050.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Resources Minister Madeline King is a roadblock to passing the government’s EV Bill. Her attempts to fast-track gas have put a handbrake on getting emissions standards through parliament,” Mr Bandt said.

“Gas is as dirty as coal, but Labor wants to open more. If even one new big gas project is fast-tracked, it will wipe out all the climate gains from the EV plan.

“We offered to pass Labor’s vehicle emission standards, even though we thought they should go further, if Labor stopped working with the Liberals to try and fast-track gas projects.

“It makes no sense for the Greens to work with Labor on vehicle emissions standards that gradually reduce emissions over 25 years, if Labor’s deal with Peter Dutton undoes all that with a single giant gas project.

“Labor needs to choose who they want to work with on climate. If Labor works with Peter Dutton and the climate deniers in the Coalition on laws to increase climate pollution, they’re betraying everyone who voted for a change of government to stop the Liberals writing climate policy.

“If Labor really values the NVES Bill, Madeline King should withdraw her blatant attempt to ignore First Nations voices and fast-track climate-destroying gas projects.”

GREENS CALL FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION INTO CRANBROOK GOVERNING BODY

The Greens have called for an investigation into the governing body of the Cranbrook School after revelations today that one of its members remained a member of the board for 22 years after being convicted of a child sex offence.

The offender, Peter Cullen Macarthur, was a member of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW when it investigated claims, revealed in the “Old School” Four Corners report, that a Cranbrook teacher had sent sexually explicit emails to a former female student.

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW is the governing body for around 500 independent schools in NSW and is responsible for receiving and distributing government funding to its member schools. Member schools have reported more $13.6 billion in federal funding in the past decade.

Under the Education Act 2013 all approved non-government school authorities must be a “fit and proper person”. As prescribed in the Australian Education Regulations 2023 the Minister may have regard to whether a person has been convicted of or charged with an offence, “including an offence in relation to children”, or whether the person has engaged in a “deliberate pattern of immoral or unethical behaviour”, in determining whether they are fit and proper.

Greens spokesperson on Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“These shocking revelations call into question whether the Association of Independent Schools of NSW is an appropriate body to be receiving federal funding.

“In the decade to 2022 the private schools governed by the authority – including Newington College, SCEGGS Darlinghurst and Scots College – reported combined federal government income of more than $13 billion.

“It’s bad enough that some of the wealthiest schools in the country continue to have their designer uniforms and gleaming performing arts centres subsidised from the public purse.

“But it’s utterly unacceptable that a body with such a profound influence over the education and wellbeing of thousands of children would allow a convicted child sex offender to remain serving on its board for 22 years.

“The Education Minister must instruct the Department of Education to launch a thorough investigation into the Association to determine whether it should continue to receive billions of dollars of government funding every year.”

Sparkly addition to Newcastle skyline as Art Gallery expansion progresses

Five-year-old Mabel Read swapped the playground for a construction site today as she helped officially name the crane being used to deliver the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.

Mabel earned the chance to crown the crane “Sparkles” after winning a colouring competition run by City of Newcastle in collaboration with the head contractor on the site, Hansen Yuncken.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley with the winner and runners-up in the Name the Crane competition at the Newcastle Art Gallery construction site.

In her entry, Mabel said that she chose the name “because it is cute and girls can build things too”.

While the hammerhead tower crane stands as high as six giraffes stacked on top of each other, Mabel was given a ground-level view of the flag bearing its new name, which now adorns the crane’s counter jib.

Competition runners up George Kimberly, aged four, and three-year-old Luka Tomasevic were also excited to see the crane in action, joining Mabel, Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the Art Gallery site for the special occasion.

Cr Nelmes welcomed the collaboration with contractor Hansen Yuncken to connect some of the youngest members of the community to the city’s landmark project.

“Speaking with our project team and our contractor I was interested to hear just how busy Sparkles will be as the construction progresses,” Cr Nelmes told the children.

“Sparkles will move the same weight as around 50 elephants in reinforcing mesh for the concrete floors, beams, columns and walls.

“It will also lift around 75 hippos worth of structural steel, and 3,000 square metres of roof sheeting, which is as big as around 300,000 ice blocks laid out next to each other.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said it was fantastic to meet the next generation of art lovers and be given a sneak peek at how the project is progressing.

“It’s always good to see cranes above the city – it means progress and the Newcastle Art Gallery is shaping up beautifully,” Minister Catley said.

“This Gallery is an asset to the Hunter and I’m pleased to see it’s connecting with young people even while it’s being renovated.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM celebrated the opportunity to spark interest in both the arts and construction amongst Newcastle’s youngest students.

“The Gallery has long partnered with schools and pre-schools in the area to foster connections and creativity, and this remains a real priority for our team, even while our programming has moved off-site,” Ms Morton said.

Following extensive site preparation works, the ground floor slabs for several of the new Gallery spaces have been poured in recent weeks, with work continuing to expand the footprint of the new facility.

Celebrating the official naming of the crane by five-year-old Mabel Read at the Newcastle Art Gallery site.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.

Sparkles the Crane fast facts:

The hammerhead tower crane was installed at the Newcastle Art Gallery site late last year.
Early learning providers across the local government area were invited to take part in a name the crane colouring competition.
The crane measures around 33m high, which is the equivalent of stacking six adult male giraffes, which are on average 5.5m tall, on top of each other.
Approximately 260 tonnes of reinforcing mesh will be used for the concrete floors, beams, columns and walls of the Art Gallery expansion, which is the equivalent of around 50 average adult African elephants, weighing 5,200kg each.
Approximately 112 tonnes of structural steel will be needed for the construction of the façade, the roof and the atrium, which equals the same as 75 male adult hippos, each weighing an average of 1,500kg.
Approximately 3,000m2 of roof sheeting will be used during construction, which equates to around 300,000 Zooper Doopers laid out next to each other.

Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 26 March 2024

Council update: Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 26 March 2024

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 26 March 2024. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

Acknowledging 50 years of CN service: Sue Ryan

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that awards a Service Medal to Sue Ryan, commemorating her 50 years of service with City of Newcastle. Sue started as a Library Cadet at Newcastle Public Library in 1974. City of Newcastle acknowledges Sue’s many contributions and significant activities in her career.

Winten development application in Minmi

A Lord Mayoral Minute was supported that reiterated that City of Newcastle does not support the outdated 2013 Concept Plan approved by the NSW Government for Development Application – DA2018/01351 for 858 lots at Woodford Street, Minmi and reiterates that the outdated 2013 Concept Plan approval for this site does not meet community expectations and contemporary planning instruments available in 2024. City of Newcastle calls on the NSW Government to heed community and Council concerns, immediately halt the development assessment process, and revise the proposal in accordance with contemporary planning expectations and instruments.

Mark Hughes Foundation 10 year anniversary

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that notes that 6 March 2024 marked 10 years since the official launch of the Mark Hughes Foundation and acknowledges its founders, former Newcastle Knight Mark Hughes and his wife Kirralee, for their strength and leadership in starting the foundation in the midst of their own cancer journey, following Mark’s brain cancer diagnosis. City of Newcastle acknowledges that to date, around 1 million MHF Beanies have been sold, raising around $30 million for research, Brain Cancer Care nurses in regional Australia and supporting brain cancer patients, carers and their families.

Newcastle’s high-speed rail station location

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that noted City of Newcastle’s support for high-speed rail and commits to writing to Chief Executive Officer of the HSRA, Mr Tim Parker regarding Broadmeadow, which is the only viable location in the Greater Newcastle region for consideration as Newcastle’s station location, due to its strategic placement and planned redevelopment.

Ordinary business

Memorial Drive Bar Beach pedestrian and cyclist movement

Council unanimously voted to approve pedestrian and cyclist improvements on Memorial Drive, Bar Beach, including upgrading the existing marked crossing on Memorial Drive to a raised marked crossing, with provision for a future priority bicycle crossing.

Adoption of Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Areas Review final report

This motion was laid on the table to be considered at the next Ordinary Council Meeting. The motion proposes council adopts the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservations Areas Review Final Report and commence the statutory process to amend the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 for the revised HCA boundaries and development standards as outlined in this report.

Public Art Reference Group (PARG) – Annual Report 2023

Council received the Public Art Reference Group Annual Report, documenting the activities of PARG during 2023.

Executive Monthly Performance Report

Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for February 2024.

Granting of Easement – Ausgrid-University of Newcastle feeder network upgrade

Council unanimously voted to grant an easement for electricity purposes over Operational Land at 78 Cameron Street, Jesmond.

Notices of Motion

Skatepark for Merewether/Adamstown

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to investigate a suitable location for a skatepark in the Merewether/Adamstown area. The proposed skatepark design should have space for bubblers, shaded areas, seating and enough room for multiple people to skate at the same time.

Ending no-grounds evictions in NSW

Council supported a notice of motion to commend the NSW Government’s 2023 commitment to replace existing ‘no grounds’ eviction provisions through reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, and notes that NSW Labor has been committed to ending ‘no grounds’ eviction for many years. Council will make a submission to the NSW Government to remove all provisions from the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 that allow no grounds evictions (for both periodic and fixed-term leases) and introduce provisions to The Act to ensure that a residential tenancy ends only for fair and reasonable grounds to ensure a safe, secure, stable, and affordable home for all renters.

Beachside crossing upgrade to enhance access for pedestrians and cyclists

City of Newcastle is improving access to one of its most popular coastal precincts.

Councillors last night unanimously endorsed plans to upgrade the pedestrian crossing on Memorial Drive, which will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access Bar Beach.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen navigates Memorial Drive at the current pedestrian crossing, which will be upgraded to provide safer, easier connectivity in this busy coastal precinct.

The new raised crossing will create a safer connection between Empire Park and the busy coastal precinct, increasing visibility of pedestrians and removing confusion caused by the current staged crossing and refuge island.

Councillor Carol Duncan said the upgrade would deliver on City of Newcastle’s commitment to support active transport options.

“We’ve listened to the community and are working to deliver solutions that ensure they are able to safely and easily navigate our footpaths, cycleways and road networks,” Cr Duncan said.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the multi-stage project would improve safety and accessibility in the precinct for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The precinct surrounding Bar Beach is heavily utilised by community members accessing Empire Park, the Cooks Hill Surf Club, Bathers Way and the beach itself,” Cr Clausen said.

“This upgrade will make the road crossing between these destinations shorter and more accessible for pedestrians.

“It will also enhance the cycling network in the area, with the second stage of the project including a new shared pathway from the Memorial Drive crossing to Bar Beach Avenue, which will create an off-road link that allows cyclists to travel easily between Bathers Way and Parkway Avenue.”

Almost 90 per cent of community members who responded during the public exhibition period were in favour of the upgrade, which also includes landscaped kerb extensions and a new narrow median to create a safer and more streamlined solution for all road users in this area.

Following the Council’s endorsement, the project will move into a detailed design stage ahead of future construction works, with the project to be delivered over two stages.

450 jobs for the Hunter as coal mine transforms into motor park and tourist resort

Rhonda Colliery mine will be transformed into a motor park and multi-tourism hotspot, following final stages of rehabilitation.

Once completed this will be Australia’s first dedicated recreation resort park for motoring enthusiasts, creating more than 450 jobs during construction and 229 permanent roles.

It is set to draw national and international attention to Lake Macquarie for its world-class high-speed circuit, driver training academy, Go Kart precinct and motoring resort facilities.

Mining is a temporary use of land and the NSW Government is committed to exploring new opportunities for post-mine land use which promotes new industries and encourages economic diversification.

With the relinquishment of the mining lease now being undertaken, handover to the Black Rock Motor Resort will soon take place.

Once operational, the Black Rock Motor Resort will feature:

a world-class 5.25km driving circuit, designed by global F1 track design leader, Tilke Group
a driver training centre
go-kart racing
adventure-tourism experiences
a function centre
a short-term accommodation centre
a café.

The Rhondda Colliery rehabilitation has been facilitated under NSW’s robust and comprehensive framework for mine rehabilitation. It enables the repurposing of former mining land to ensure it can continue to be used in productive ways that support communities, while ensuring residual risks from mining are actively managed with any new site development.

There are a number of other major projects in NSW currently being considered for post-mine land use, including as renewable energy hubs and for pumped hydro. These sites include Idemitsu’s Muswellbrook coal mine and Yancoal’s Stratford mine near Gloucester.

Rhondda Colliery commenced underground and open-cut mining activities in the late 1800s before ceasing operations in 1971.

The NSW Government is in the process of establishing regional Future Jobs and Investment Authorities to grow future jobs and industries in coal-producing regions.

Once set up, the four authorities in the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra and North West will work across government to identify solutions tailored to each region’s needs.

For more information on the rehabilitation works at Rhondda Colliery.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“With hundreds of new jobs and tens of millions of dollars of economic activity, this project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“This project is an example of the convening power of government, as we bring together communities, councils and private enterprise to create hundreds of jobs and new opportunities for the region.

“Mining has long been a source of economic prosperity for NSW. As mines close, the government is committed to ensuring sites are rehabilitated safely, and the land put to new and productive use for the local community.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“We know motorsport lovers will travel and spend their money when they know they’re getting the best.

“It’s fantastic to see Lake Macquarie step up and offer locals and visitors from across the country and overseas the best in motorsport and tourism.

We hear constantly about the need for tourism opportunities and adaptive reuse of rehabilitated mines. This is a smart, exciting example of both.”

Mayor of Lake Macquarie Council, Kay Fraser said:

“Black Rock Motor Resort demonstrates how we are laying the foundation in Lake Macquarie to embrace innovation, grow our economy and attract new investment.

“It is a pioneering example of adaptive reuse of mining land to support our economy into the future and provides a pathway for the transformation of other former mining and industrial sites.

“This project will see Lake Macquarie become home to Australia’s first dedicated recreation resort for motoring enthusiasts, providing an exciting new international tourism attraction for the city, region and state of NSW.

“Black Rock will support hundreds of jobs during construction and once operational, bringing in tens of millions of dollars each year in economic benefit to our region.”

Black Rock Motor Resort CEO and founder Tony Palmer said”

“Black Rock Motor Resort is proud to be pioneering the adaptive re-use of a former coal mine into an exciting, world-class adventure tourism destination.

“Black Rock Motor Resort will provide a range of motoring experiences including driver safety training for the young motorists of the region as well as exciting opportunities for the public to drive their own cars, or our cars, on the high-speed circuit.

“I’d like to thank the NSW Government and Lake Macquarie City Council for supporting the vision to transform rehabilitated mining land into a valuable asset for the Lake Macquarie region and NSW.”

Yancoal CEO David Moult, said:

“I am extremely pleased with this outcome at Rhondda. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone, relinquishing formerly mined land after an extensive and successful rehabilitation program.

“Yancoal wishes the new owners every success in realising their motor sport complex vision.

“Yancoal recognises that land rehabilitation and relinquishment is an important part of responsible mining. Ensuring that land can continue to be an asset for the benefit of local communities after mining has concluded will continue to be a key aspiration for Yancoal into the future.”

Quarter of a million essential workers set to benefit under proposed long service leave reforms

Up to 250,000 community sector workers would see their leave rights expanded under a landmark draft bill released today by the NSW Government for consultation.

The reforms will allow community sector workers to access long service leave sooner and accrue leave based on time employed in the sector, rather than time employed by a single employer.

Workers in disability care, family and domestic violence services, homelessness services and many other essential services will benefit from the reform.

The move responds to the rise of insecure work in the disability and community sectors and forms part of the government’s commitment to attract and retain key workers in NSW. Community services workers across NSW are known for their dedication to promoting social inclusion and wellbeing.

However, many workers face issues such as stress, burnout, and job insecurity, with high levels of casualisation. Information provided by employers suggests a portable leave scheme will help to address these issues.

And 75% of the 250,000 strong social services workforce in NSW are women.

Key elements of the scheme include:

offering paid long service leave after 7 years, rather than 10 years
allowing workers to accrue long service leave across multiple employers within the sector (leave is portable). Under existing rules, community service workers lose their long service leave if they change employer, despite the nature of the sector seeing workers frequently shift between employers or working for multiple employers.
having 1 central agency administer long service leave, including records and leave payments.

Our plan will bring NSW in line with other jurisdictions (ACT, Victoria and Queensland) that have already established portable leave schemes for these sectors. NSW cannot be left behind and must value these essential workers.

A draft of the Community Services Sector (Portable Long Service Leave) Bill 2024 and a regulatory impact statement outlining the proposed model is now available for public consultation.

The public consultation opened on 26 March 2024 and is due to close on 30 April 2024.

To make a submission or complete a short survey on the proposed scheme, visit Have Your Say.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis:

“Community sector workers are often on short-term contracts with multiple employers and do not have access to long service leave, despite some working in the sector for more than a decade.

“By basing long service on time employed in the sector, workers will be able to accrue long service leave no matter how often they change jobs, providing an added incentive to choose and remain in the sector.

“A portable entitlements system aims to reduce the high level of staff turnover among community service workers, provide these essential workers with greater financial security and improve the level of care provided to clients.

“Whether you are a worker, employer, or someone interested in the scheme, I encourage you to have your say on how we can build a fair and robust scheme that better supports our community and disability service sectors in NSW.”