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Community-led program repairing homes and lives in Lismore

More than 350 flood affected homes in the Northern Rivers region can now be repaired, getting vulnerable people back on their feet and into safe housing thanks to Resilient Lismore’s Two Rooms Project, backed by $5 million in funding from the NSW Government.

The Minns Government is delivering on its election commitment to fund the program, addressing the urgent need for additional flood recovery support in the Northern Rivers.

Premier Chris Minns joined Minister for Planning and Public Places Paul Scully, Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, Minister for Housing Rose Jackson, Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin and Resilient Lismore Executive Director Elly Bird in Lismore.

The Two Rooms Project, a partnership between not-for-profit The Winsome, The Lismore Catholic Diocese, Joel Jensen Constructions, charity Reece Foundation and volunteers, has already enabled the restoration of windows, walls, kitchens and bathrooms in more than 160 homes.

Resilient Lismore launched the program in July last year and now coordinates an army of skilled tradespeople, labourers and volunteers to help rebuild homes. They also provide outreach and referrals to community support services. Priority is given to vulnerable people and those who cannot afford to pay for repair work themselves.

This commitment is on top of the news last week the NSW Government has established a new $150 million Community Restoration Flood Fund in the 2023–2024 Budgetlaunch to support disaster impacted communities in the Northern Rivers and Central West.

The cash injection will be used towards measures such as:

Priority Disaster Adaptation Plans, including for the Northern Rivers and Central West, so communities are better prepared
repair and replacement of critical community assets and improving the resilience of public infrastructure, including bridges and roads
a second instalment to the ongoing Resilient Homes Program in the Northern Rivers
further assistance with housing programs, with work to be further developed with councils and community leaders.

Over the next 2 months, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will work closely with local community leaders to prioritise the additional funding and determine potential future funding which may be required.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We know there are no simple fixes in the Northern Rivers. This package and our Community Restoration Flood Fund is an acknowledgement that we are standing by communities for the long haul.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We know recovery is not a short-term fix and requires evidence-based planning and community leadership.

“That’s why we’ve reset the way we work and communicate with the community, bringing local Councils and groups together through the Community Leaders Forum so they have a say in how to shape and rebuild their communities.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We’ve seen first-hand how flood recovery efforts are progressing and it’s critical that we continue to support communities who have borne the brunt of the 2022 floods.

“Local initiatives like the work led by Resilient Lismore are so important, by funding practical recovery programs like this we are ensuring the local community is involved in driving flood recovery in the Northern Rivers.”

Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“Initiatives like the Resilient Home’s investment and the additional injection from the Community Restoration Flood Fund are a welcome start on the wide range of recovery and reconstruction work that still needs to be done across the Northern Rivers. Like me, I know everyone who experienced the 2022 floods and is still dealing with the after-effects day in and day out understands we have a long road ahead of us and additional support will be required.”

NSW Government backs Newcastle 500

The NSW Government remains committed to the Newcastle 500. The Minns Labor Government has provided funding to host the race in Newcastle in 2024 and we have the support of Supercars for that 1-year extension before a longer plan is finalised.

The government is working towards a 5-year deal with Supercars and will work with the landowner City of Newcastle Council to find a way forward.

The future of the event now sits firmly in the hands of the Newcastle City Council.

The Newcastle 500, staged by Supercars Australia, has been popular event among visitors and broadcast viewers nationally since its introduction in 2017, generating strong visitor expenditure for the Hunter region.

The Newcastle 500 delivers significant benefits to the broader Newcastle economy, stimulating local businesses, creating jobs and attracting visitors to the city.

Earlier this year it was discovered the former Coalition government made massive cuts to the State Significant Fund, halving the budget for major events and tourism.

This has had a significant impact on available funding and is why 1-year extensions have been agreed for several events – providing immediate certainty to organisers, staff and fans – before longer deals can be finalised.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“In the current fiscal environment, the NSW Government has prioritised retaining iconic major events such as the NRL Grand final, Mardi Gras, the Newcastle 500, and Sydney Festival. These events and others are currently going ahead with 1-year extensions while we work through the budget black hole we inherited.

“The NSW Government is committed to finding solutions for our major events that generate economic and social value, delivering community and legacy benefits to our state and we look forward to a resolution for the Newcastle 500.”

Women set to benefit from increased access to the pill

From today, women will be able to access resupplies of oral contraceptives from their pharmacist, as part of the second phase of the NSW Government’s statewide pharmacy prescribing trial.

More than 900 pharmacies across NSW will participate in the 12-month trial which will make it easier than ever for thousands of women to access a resupply of the pill.

The expanding statewide pharmacy trial will save women time, while trialling an innovative model of care that is showing strong potential, especially for regional and rural areas.

The initiative works to take the pressure off GPs with pharmacists partnering with general practice to support timely access to patient care.

In the first few months of the urinary tract infection (UTI) pharmacy prescribing trial, nearly 3000 women were able to get faster and easier assessment and treatment by enabling pharmacists to take on this role.

Women will be eligible for resupply of oral contraceptive pills through their local participating pharmacy if they:

are aged 18 to 35 years old
have had a past prescription for certain types of oral contraceptive pill issued in the previous 2 years, and
are taking the pill for contraceptive purposes.

Under the trial, the only out-of-pocket costs for women seeking a resupply of their pill will be for the medication they need. The NSW Government has also committed to providing $20 per consultation to participating pharmacists to support administration associated with the trial.

The ethics-approved clinical trial is being led by the University of Newcastle who are working closely with a multidisciplinary team including GPs, clinicians, pharmacists, rural clinicians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to ensure the trial is safe for women.

For more information about the clinical trial, including a list of community pharmacies participating in the trial, visit the NSW Healthlaunch website.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We are embracing new and more innovative ways to ensure people can access the important medicines they need, both safely and in a timely fashion.

“This initiative is not only making it easier for people to access medicines, it is also alleviating pressure on our GPs and primary care services.

“We are undertaking the necessary evaluations to ensure we get this right.”

Pharmacist and lead researcher Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin from the University of Newcastle said:

“The heart of the trial is about improving the health system as a whole and finding new ways to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.

“I am excited by today’s launch of the trial’s second phase, as early evidence from the first phase of the trial suggests we are seeing a very real benefit to patients through increasing the avenues available for treatment.”

Broken promises for flood impacted communities

The NSW Opposition has called out an appalling broken promise in the Minns Government’s first budget which reveals at minimum a $300m gap in the funding provided to deliver vital road upgrades to North-West Sydney.

In the 2023/24 Budget, the Minns Government committed $200m over two years for the Western Sydney Flood Resilience program^[1].

However in examining the projects, the Opposition can reveal the Government has only provided 40% of the total cost to deliver these works.

Project	Labor Funding	Pre-election Cost
Richmond Road Upgrade – M7 to Townson Road	$200m over two years	$285m
Pitt Town Bypass	$100m ^[2]
Garfield Road East Upgrade	$100m
Upgrade the intersection of The Driftway and Londonderry Road	$15m
Total funding	$200m	$500m
Shortfall	– $300m

These projects were funded for delivery by the Coalition Government prior to the election through the WestInvest Fund, which required projects to have a finalised business case. During the election campaign the Labor Opposition matched the funding for the majority of these projects^[3].

Shadow Minister for Roads Natalie Ward commented on the broken promise “Cutting funding to flood resilience infrastructure is a disgrace, they promised the projects before the election and now they can’t deliver it.”

“The Government needs to explain how it intends on delivering four projects inside two years with 40% of the funding – it doesn’t add up, just like Labor’s budget.”

Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston commented “This Labor Government shouldn’t give false hope by announcing vital infrastructure projects without adequate funding.”

PROVIDERS SELECTED FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MEDICARE URGENT CARE CLINICS

The Albanese Government is partnering with the Malinauskas Government to deliver for South Australians, today announcing the providers for four Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs).

Following an Expression of Interest process the four clinics will be:

Marion Domain Medical and Dental Centre will be established as the Marion Medicare UCC
Old Port Road Medical and Dental Centre will be established as the Western Medicare UCC
Elizabeth Medical and Dental Centre will be established as the Elizabeth Medicare UCC
Mount Gambier Family Health will be established as the Mount Gambier Medicare UCC.

A fifth Medicare UCC, that will be established in the outer southern suburbs, is in final contract negotiations with an announcement to be made soon.

The South Australian Medicare UCCs will deliver on the Albanese Government’s commitment to make it easier for people in South Australia to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off the local hospitals.

The Medicare UCCs will be open extended hours, seven days a week and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk‑billed.

Over 40 per cent of presentations to South Australian hospitals are for non‑urgent or semi-urgent care.

The South Australian Medicare UCCs are expected to begin opening from October 2023, with all to be open by the end of the year.

The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with Adelaide Primary Health Network, the Country South Australia Primary Health Network and the South Australian Government to support the establishment of these Medicare UCCs.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“We’re delivering 58 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia – just like we promised at the election.

“These clinics mean South Australians who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card.

“We’re committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”

Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas said:

“We know South Australian hospitals, like those across the country, are under significant pressure, and the struggle to get access to GPs is playing a huge part in that.

“The South Australia Medicare UCCs will help take that pressure off, by providing a service that bridges the gap between the day-to-day health care of general practice and acute care of hospitals.

“With this partnership between the Australian and South Australian governments, we are ensuring South Australians have better access to affordable urgent care when they need it.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“We went to the election promising urgent care clinics for South Australia and we are now delivering them.

“The five South Australian Medicare UCCs will make a big difference to patients who will be able to walk in seven days a week and get free urgent care from a nurse or a doctor.

“The clinics will ease pressure on South Australian Hospitals, so that our hard-working doctors and nurses can focus on higher priority emergencies.”

South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton said:

“Being able to get free care at a UCC for urgent, but not life-threatening concerns, will be welcomed by many families and help to reduce pressure on emergency departments.

“Importantly, centres operating extended hours will be very convenient for families and helpful for the health system more broadly.

“I thank the Albanese Government for its investments in these centres, as well as its upcoming increase in bulk billing incentives for targeted groups.

TONY ABBOTT’S FOX APPOINTMENT SHOWS MURDOCH MEDIA INTENT

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is the Greens spokesperson for communications & media:

“It is a shockingly bad decision and an indictment on Murdoch. It is a terrifying insight into Lachlan’s plans to entrench his Fox-style news agenda in Australia.

“Putting Tony Abbott on the Fox board is a brazen attack on global efforts to tackle climate change.

“This proves what we all know about the Murdoch’s, they are right wing, climate wreckers. It is no wonder Tony Abbot has been welcomed into the family business.

“We need a Murdoch Royal Commission more than ever.”

PEZZULLO MUST RESIGN OR BE SACKED

Revelations about Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo’s deeply inappropriate involvement in the political process and contempt for the principle of accountability should prompt his immediate resignation or dismissal, the Greens say.

“Mr Pezzullo’s time as a senior public servant needs to end and it needs to end today,” Greens Immigration and Citizenship spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Throughout his time as Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs he has overseen a litany of governance failures and shown complete contempt for the principle of accountability.”

“His brazen attempts to manipulate the political process and his failure to respect the boundaries between politics and the public service mean that his position is untenable.”

“If Mr Pezzullo wants to play in the political sandpit then he should stand for Parliament.”

“The PM needs to set high standards and make it clear what he will and will not stand for. The standard he walks past is the standard he accepts.”

“It was a grievous mistake for Mr Albanese to reappoint Mr Pezullo when he came to office, and he now has the chance to correct the error.”

“If Mr Pezzullo is not already working on his resignation, then the Prime Minister should demand it or sack him.”

“That must not mean a sideways shuffle, a golden handshake or a cushy diplomatic post.”

ADHD SENATE INQUIRY TO HOLD THIRD PUBLIC HEARING AHEAD OF FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS NEXT MONTH

The third and final public hearing of the Greens-led Senate inquiry into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment and Support Services will take place in Melbourne tomorrow, Tuesday 26th September.

The hearing will invite a range of organisations and individuals to provide evidence to the historic inquiry. Among those scheduled to appear at the hearing are prominent writer and ADHD advocate Em Rusciano and Guardian journalist Matilda Boseley.

Around one in 20 Australians have ADHD, which is widely dismissed and misunderstood despite the significant impairment and dysfunction it can create.

The ADHD hearing will take place on Tuesday September 26 at the Savoy Hotel in Melbourne, with members of the public welcome to attend the full-day event.

The ADHD inquiry’s final report, which includes recommendations to the government, will be published on Wednesday October 18.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens spokesperson on Disability Services, Health and Mental Health said:

“The powerful testimony I’ve heard from the lived experience community over the past few months has confirmed exactly why the ADHD inquiry was so critical to begin with.

“Again and again, I’ve heard that cost, wait time and stigma present huge barriers to people seeking assessment and support services for ADHD in Australia. Again and again, I’ve heard about the immeasurable impact these barriers can have on their lives every single day.

“I’m so proud of how staunchly the ADHD community has pushed for this inquiry and how generous folks have been in sharing with the committee what are often quite distressing experiences.

“I’m also very humbled to support ADHDers and their loved ones to get access to the life-affirming services they need and deserve, and I will continue to do so beyond the life of this inquiry.

“I’m really looking forward to what the third and final hearing of the ADHD inquiry in Melbourne will yield, and I hope to see the community’s experiences properly reflected in the final report to be released next month.”

Extension of punitive tariffs on Russia

The Australian Government is extending punitive tariffs on goods imported from Russia and Belarus for a further two years, until October 2025.

Australia is working closely with international partners to impose costs on Russia, through targeted sanctions and trade measures that diminish Russia’s ability to fund its illegal and immoral war in Ukraine.

The additional 35 per cent tariff on Russian imports was first introduced in April 2022. Together with the prohibition on gold and energy imports, it has had a significant impact on trade between our countries.

Imports from Russia fell by over 95 per cent in the second half of last year, compared to the same period in 2021.

Australia again calls on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory and on Belarus to stop supporting Russia’s senseless war.

Australia reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and for the Ukrainian people.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said:

“The extension of punitive trade measures shows Australia’s unwavering determination to diminish President Putin and Russia’s ability to fund this illegal and immoral war.”
“Russia’s actions against Ukraine’s sovereignty, the rule of law and the UN Charter, are reprehensible.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said:

“Russia cannot expect to reap the benefits of international trade when its actions violate the international rule of law.
“We are keeping up the economic pressure on Russia and Belarus by extending the application of the additional tariff on goods from these countries for a further 24 months.”

Labor’s working future leaves small business, IR reform in the never never

Labor’s Employment White Paper “Working Future” is a missed opportunity from a government that is distracted by a range of issues which aren’t the economy.

Everyone knows the best way to support more jobs is to make it easier for employers to find staff and for Australians out of work to find jobs.

The Coalition wants to see a labour market that removes barriers to get people into jobs.

Labor’s industrial relations reforms will just raise more barriers: big employers are saying this, small businesses are saying it, and gig economy workers are saying it.

If Labor is serious about increasing jobs, they need to listen to the BCA, ACCI, Master Builders and the millions of small businesses screaming out that Labor should rethink these extreme IR reforms.

Instead, this White Paper shows Labor is doubling down on putting more roadblocks up to work through its industrial relations reforms.

This leaves little in this Paper for small business owners.

Labor’s industrial relations reforms will just pile more red tape on small businesses and employers that won’t be good for business, won’t be good for the economy and won’t be good for jobs.

The Coalition has put forward constructive solutions to support Australians into work.

Allowing pensioners and veterans to work more hours without losing their pension.
Doubling the income free area for Jobseeker recipients allowing Australians on income support to earn an extra $150 a fortnight before their payments reduce encouraging them back to work and take more shifts.

So far, it’s been disappointing that the government has refused to adopt these measures in full.

We will continue to put forward pro-jobs policies in the lead-up to the next election.

With regards to the immediate items in the Treasurer’s announcement it is disappointing that it has taken $4.7 million of taxpayer funding and a year of work for the Treasurer to come up with a list of re-heated, rehashed and re-announced policies.

When you realise there were more politicians at the press conference than policies in the White Paper, you understand why Australians would be disappointed with yet another costly prime ministerial flop.

Australia’s apprentice and trainee starts have collapsed by 33.5 per cent over the year to December 2022 and nothing in this White Paper is going to fix this total disaster.

Instead of more sideshows and distractions, Australians are crying out for some actual leadership from this Prime Minister. Sadly, it is nowhere to be seen.

What is clear today is that this is a government distracted by the Canberra Voice and whose main priority paying back their biggest donor – the unions.