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It is alarming to see the unemployment rate rise to 4.1 per cent today, the worst result in two years and an indication the Albanese Government needs to get serious about jobs.

The January Labour Force figures released today show there are 581,000 Australians without a job in the middle of a cost of living crisis. That’s 5200 more unemployed Australians than in the previous month.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said: “Australians are paying the price for a government that’s been asleep at the wheel when it comes to economic management. 

“Jobs have been all that have kept people afloat during Labor’s cost of living crisis. And now, Labor’s policies to increase to the cost of everything is coming home to roost.

“This is a government that thinks it can spin and spend its way out of a cost of living crisis. But Australians have been left to pay the price. 

“After spending $450 million on their failed referendum and adding $209 billion of extra spending, the government will now spend $40 million to try and justify their broken promise on stage three tax cuts.

“This is a consequence of a government without a proper economic plan.” 

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator Michaelia Cash said: “The problem we have is that the Albanese Government keeps making decisions that do nothing to help create jobs.”

“Business has been very clear in their view that Labor’s radical industrial relations agenda, the latest of which was rammed through the Parliament last week, will mean fewer jobs and higher costs for all Australians,’’ Senator Cash said.

“The latest industrial relations changes allow union officials to enter any workplace without notice, replace the current clear law on who is a casual with three pages and fifteen factors, and a range of other measures that will be detrimental to the economy, productivity and jobs,’’ she said.

“Labor has put industry and employers in an unworkable position. Rather than respond to stakeholder feedback, Labor has instead chosen to pursue nonsensical changes as part of a union agenda and alliance with the Greens,’’ Senator Cash said. 

Labor’s latest legislation is estimated to see prices for food delivery or rideshare services increase by up to 35%

“This Government just keeps putting the job creators of this nation under pressure with their complex and costly workplace laws and will end up sending some small businesses to breaking point,’’ Senator Cash said.

The NSW Government has today welcomed the decision of the Varroa Mite National Management Group to approve the National Transition to Management Plan. The group, comprised of State and Federal governments, as well as beekeeping and pollination industry representatives have unanimously agreed to usher in a new phase for biosecurity management of Varroa mite.

The priority of the NSW Government moving forward will be to work with industry to ensure beekeepers understand how to best manage the pest in this new phase.

The aim of the Transition to Management Plan is to increase resilience and minimise ongoing impacts of Varroa mite for the bee industry and pollination reliant industries. This outcome will be achieved by slowing the spread, building industry resilience, providing management options and support for pollination security.

The Australian Government, state and territory governments and 16 industries have committed to share up to $100 million of the costs of the response to date and transition to management activities. 

As a category 2 emergency plant pest the contributions are 40% (up to $40 million) from the Australian Government, 40% (up to $40 million) from state and territory governments and 20% (up to $20 million) shared across 16 industry groups.

The $100 million national program to date has helped minimise and mitigate financial impacts on Australia’s honey and pollination-dependent industries and protected thousands of jobs.

The NSW Government has prepared for this transition and can start immediately to upskill industry, with training modules already completed and ready to go.  The next step now is organising industry events, workshops, and placing materials online.

The recruitment process for new roles under the plan is currently underway and the NSW Government will immediately recruit Varroa Development Officers (VDOs) who work directly with beekeepers to increase their ability to manage Varroa. 

Another critical role of the VDOs will be to develop, train and maintain a network of volunteer beekeepers who will monitor hives for the presence of Varroa and provide information on the spread of the mite. 

Additionally, the response will employ a Pollination Industry Coordinator (PIC) to assist the pollination dependent industries to better understand and manage their needs.  This will be critical for smaller industries who have relied on wild bees for pollination and never engaged with pollination service providers. 

The NMG made the decision in late 2023 that Varroa mite was no longer eradicable from Australia after commencing the national program for eradication in July 2022.

For the latest information head to Varroa mite emergency response.

Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is prepared and will immediately roll out resources, information, support and training for our beekeepers and pollination reliant agriculture sectors to address this new biosecurity transition.

We will work closely with industry at this critical time and deliver programs that enhance the health and robustness of NSW’s beekeeping industry.

Australia is the last major honey producing country in the world to get Varroa mite, and we are using international experience and science in understanding how best to prepare beekeepers and the beekeeping and pollination reliant industries.

Australian Honey Bee Industry Council CEO Danny Le Feuvre said:

“The plan will see Varroa Development Officers employed nationally to help drive on the ground support for beekeepers dealing with this pest for the first time, which will be welcomed by all I am sure.

Almond Board of Australia CEO Tim Jackson said:

“Pollination reliant industrues have a large stake in the transition to management as well as beekeepers.

Experience from around the world shows that pollination reliant industries will need to work very closely with beekeepers to mitigate problems caused by the Varroa mite’s impact on wild European honeybee populations.”

A new community board has been appointed to one of the region’s most important Crown land environmental and community assets, the Central Coast Wetlands – Pioneer Dairy. 

Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has appointed six new board members to manage the affairs of the wetlands for up to five years. 

The new board members are Jed Field, Samantha Willis, James Schmidt, Allan Benson, Megan Rice and an ex-officio member from Central Coast Council. Their appointments follow the process of an expression of interest seeking applicants.  

The appointees were selected due to their combinations of marketing, business and financial skills, along with environment consulting experience. 

Two appointees – Jed Field and Samantha Willis – are existing board members and will ensure continuity, experience and corporate knowledge are retained and available to the new board. 

The new board will manage the site on behalf of the NSW Government to help enhance the Crown reserve as an outstanding recreational, environmental and community parkland for the Central Coast.  

Future tasks for the board will including development and consultation on a masterplan, scoping of potential infrastructure upgrades, a sustainable business model for the reserve, and engaging and supporting volunteers in the ongoing maintenance and environmental management of the site. 

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: 

“Crown land reserves are held in trust for communities and I thank the volunteer members for devoting their time and skills to help manage the Central Coast Wetlands-Pioneer Dairy. 

“This beautiful reserve is a natural paradise home to hundreds of bird species and enormous plant and animal biodiversity so we want to ensure it is preserved for both current and future generations.” 

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said: 

“Central Coast Wetlands – Pioneer Dairy is an environmental and community gem that is home to important agricultural heritage and 155-hectares of woodland, wetland and open paddocks, making it the region’s biggest area of open space for public access. 

“The new board will help ensure the community helps drive the future of this important reserve so that it can continue to be a highly popular spot for families, nature lovers and community  groups.” 

The Clarence Valley community is being invited to have its say on a final proposal to rename ‘Shirley Way’ to ‘Shirley Adams Way’ over the Balun Bindarray Bridge (new Grafton bridge).

From 16 February, Clarence Valley Council will advertise the proposed renaming of the roadway on the Summerland Way from the roundabout on Big River Way, South Grafton to the traffic lights at the Clarence Street intersection in Grafton.

In November 2022, the approaches and two lanes crossing the Grafton bridge – officially named the Balun Bindarray Bridge – were named Shirley Way in recognition of the first female mayor of the Grafton City Council and long-time Jacaranda Festival supporter Shirley Adams.

At the time the Geographical Names Board of NSW only accepted naming the approaches Shirley Way.

The Adams family, supported by Clarence Valley Council and local MP Richie Williamson, has requested the approaches be renamed “Shirley Adams Way” to ensure properly recognise Shirley Adams and ensure her memory lives on.

Now in response to the request, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison has initiated a compulsory process which could allow for the potential renaming of the road to occur.

As part of the process, community members must be given the chance to have their say on the proposed renaming and once a set feedback period ends, the renaming will be one step closer to becoming a reality.

Feedback from the community on this name change proposal can now be emailed to Transport for NSW at region.north@transport.nsw.gov.au. The deadline for the feedback period is 1 March and once feedback is considered, a decision on the renaming proposal will be announced.

Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“I am proud the NSW Government is working to ensure a fitting tribute for the memory and legacy of trailblazing Shirley Adams OAM who served the Grafton and Clarence Valley communities for decades as Grafton’s first female mayor and the first female chair of the Country Mayors Association of NSW.

“Ms Adams also received a medal in the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition for her services to local government and the Girl Guide Movement.

“It is only right that one of the city’s most important pieces infrastructure be named in Ms Adams’ honour.

“Well done to Clarence Valley community for the preserving and honouring the memory of Ms Adams.”

Clarence Valley Council general manager Laura Black said:

“Clarence Valley Council is extremely pleased that Transport for NSW is taking the steps to rename ‘Shirley Way’ to ‘Shirley Adams Way’. This will commemorate a unique person who served our community and council with distinction for many years. There are many Shirleys, but only one Shirley Adams OAM.

“The renaming of ‘Shirley Way’ to ‘Shirely Adams Way’ is supported by Clarence Valley councillors and staff. Councillors have worked tirelessly to ensure Shirley is remembered for her community achievements and decorated local government career. We look forward to working with Transport for NSW to achieve what will be a great outcome for the Adams’ family and the community.”