Two men have been charged following an investigation into the shooting death of a man in Newcastle last year.
About 11pm on Tuesday 6 September 2022, emergency services were called to a residence on Fowler Street, Hamilton South, after reports of a shooting.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and found a 57-year-old man with a gunshot wound.
The man was treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics, however, died at the scene.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced Strike Force Alcheringa to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
During the course of the investigation, a number of search warrants were executed, with items – including firearms – relevant to the investigation seized for forensic examination.
Following extensive inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a property on Station Street, Waratah, about 8.45am yesterday (Tuesday 1 August 2023).
A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with murder and supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it.
He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 2 August 2023).
Following further inquiries, two search warrants were executed at properties in Glenfield and Busby about 8.40am today (Wednesday 2 August 2023).
A short time later, a 32-year-old man was arrested in the drive-thru of a restaurant on Harold Street, Macquarie Fields.
He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he was charged with murder and supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it.
He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 3 August 2023).
The Greens have offered to pass the Government’s gas tax changes through the Senate if the revenue from the changes is doubled by lowering the deductions cap from 90% of assessable receipts to 80%.
Documents provided to the Senate under an Order for the Production of Documents show that this is within the range originally advised by Treasury to the Treasurer.
Greens Treasury spokesperson Senator Nick McKim has written to Treasurer Jim Chalmers to make the offer, which has the support of Senators David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie and Tammy Tyrrell.
Gas companies are currently sitting on a staggering $277 billion of uplifted tax credits that they have to burn through before they will have to pay any super profits tax. This is greater than the GDP of New Zealand.
Doubling the minimum revenue that these gas giants will be assessed against from 10% to 20% of their assessable receipts would raise $2.6 billion in much needed revenue over the forward estimates period.
This proposal will only affect five LNG projects that are raking in billions in unearned super profits off the back of the Ukraine invasion. The government’s proposal is intended only to plug the gap in declining revenue from the old Bass Strait fields as they run out.
These five massive gas projects have never paid a cent in royalties or super profits tax.
Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim said:
“The gas cabal has been playing the major parties like fiddles. This is a chance for Labor to take a small step towards making fossil fuel corporations pay their fair share of tax.”
“Labor now has a very clear choice. It can work constructively with the Greens to double the additional revenue from gas companies, or settle for half that amount in exchange for weakening environmental regulations for gas projects to the satisfaction of the Dutton Opposition and the gas cartel.”
“Ten gas companies and lobby groups were in the room designing this tax with Treasury officials. These daylight robbers all signed non-disclosure agreements and came up with a proposal that wasn’t previously part of Treasury’s review.”
“No other taxpayer gets such access to the government that they can design their own tax rates.”
“Labor appears to have forgotten that it is Parliament, not gas companies, that sign off on the laws of the land.”
Greens’ Social Services spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice, has slammed Peter Dutton’s policy of ripping money from the poorest Australians, and Labor’s paltry increase to income support that will leave millions on poverty-payments.
Senator Rice will introduce a suite of amendments in the Senate to improve Labor’s Safety Net Bill and help the most vulnerable Australians out of poverty.
The amendments will include raising the rate of Centrelink payments above the poverty line to $88 a day; implementing the Robodebt Royal Commission’s recommendation to re-instate a six year limit on Social Security Act debt-recovery that was removed by the Abbott Government; lifting the base rate of Centrelink payments to the level recommended by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee; lifting the eligibility age of the Parenting Payment Single from 14 to 16 (recommended by the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce); increasing the amount people can earn while on income support; and Australia’s first ever legislated National Poverty Line.
Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Social Services said:
“Labor’s Jobseeker increase is woefully inadequate. It works out to be around $4 a day, which is less than a cup of coffee and won’t help anyone pay their rent. Not that people on Jobseeker can afford to go out with friends for a coffee as it is.
“This increase doesn’t even cover the record rent hikes or skyrocketing grocery prices, and still leaves people on payments well below the poverty line. Even Labor’s own expert Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee said these payments are nowhere near enough.
“$4 a day is not going to cut it for people who tell me they’re only showering once a week because they can’t afford the hot water. It’s not going to cut it for people who are only eating one meal a day. And it’s not going to cut it for people who are living in tents or in cars rather than being able to afford a roof over their head.
“We know the cost of living crisis has hit those on Jobseeker hardest. Labor managed to find room in the budget for $9000 a year in Stage 3 tax cuts for every billionaire and politician in the country, but can’t raise Centrelink above the poverty line for struggling Australians.
“But it is outrageous the Liberals’ wont even support this paltry increase and want to leave many of the most vulnerable recipients, including those with serious health issues who can’t work, living in poverty with no increase at all. An income free area alone is not enough.
“We want Labor to do far more to help struggling Australians, but we are outraged that the Liberals would rip away even this tiny increase in payments.
“Peter Dutton is deplorable, and the Greens will fight tooth and nail against any attempts from the Liberals to take money from people who need it most.
“Centrelink payments must be raised above the poverty line to $88 a day. If Labor is serious about helping people, they should back the Greens amendments that will make life easier for millions of Australians.
“We know the community is supportive of these measures that are so important for people who are living in abject poverty on Centrelink payments. It’s vital that we don’t have a permanent underclass of people in this country that can’t afford to participate fully in society.”
The Greens warn that despite the Great Barrier Reef’s one year reprieve from being declared “in danger”, the iconic marine ecosystem remains under serious threat – including from the Albanese Government and its reckless approval of new fossil fuel projects.
Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:
“This Unesco decision isn’t kidding anybody who has had their eyes wide open to the unprecedented and troubling changes we are witnessing in global marine environments, especially from new marine heatwaves.
“The world will still be watching the Great Barrier Reef moving forward. As a custodian of this great natural wonder the Albanese Government should remember this decision is no cause for celebration, but a clear warning: if we get another El Nino event this summer the Great Barrier Reef may still be listed in danger come February.
“The burning of fossil fuels is literally cooking our oceans and degrading marine ecosystems across the globe, and nowhere else has this been more politicised than on the Great Barrier Reef.
“The high-profile Great Barrier Reef is a barometer for the declining health of marine ecosystems everywhere, and the Albanese Government must show leadership on mitigating the root cause of the decline in these fragile ecosystems by not expanding or approving new fossil fuel projects.”
Greens senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters said:
“The World Heritage Committee has kept the Great Barrier Reef on the “In Danger” watchlist for another year, so the pressure is now on for the Albanese Government to stop approving new coal and gas.
“Labor continues to approve new fossil fuel projects putting at even further risk the Great Barrier Reef, which supports countless miraculous species of creatures, corals and plants, and provides a livelihood for 60,000 tourism workers.
“Recurrent bleaching as a result of the climate crisis has already changed the Great Barrier Reef forever. More than half the coral cover of the Reef has been permanently lost in successive mass coral bleachings of the Reef since 2015.
“Climate change is the biggest threat to the Reef yet the Albanese Government has approved 3 coal mines in less than 2 months. How many more times do global scientists have to say no new coal and gas?”
The Coalition will not support Labor’s proposed Misinformation laws.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said the Government’s exposure draft of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 would suppress legitimate free speech in Australia.
“This is a very bad bill. The Government should rip it up,” Mr Coleman said. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to our democracy, and the Coalition will always fight for it.
“The Bill gives the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) extraordinary powers. It would lead to digital companies self-censoring the legitimately held views of Australians to avoid the risk of massive fines.”
The many problems with the Bill include:
The definition of “misinformation” is so broad that it could capture many statements made by Australians in the context of political debate.
Authorised content by the Albanese Government can’t be misinformation, but criticisms of the Albanese Government by ordinary Australians can be misinformation.
Nothing an academic says can be misinformation, but statements by somebody disagreeing with an academic can be misinformation.
Good faith statements made by entertainers cannot be misinformation, but good faith statements made by ordinary Australians on political matters can be misinformation.
Journalists commenting on their personal digital platforms could have their content removed as misinformation.
If the Minister has a favoured digital platform, then that platform could be entirely removed from the application of the misinformation laws.
Under the Albanese Government’s proposed laws, ACMA would gain sweeping powers to require any Australian to appear at a time and place of its choosing to answer questions about misinformation or disinformation. Heavy fines would apply for non-attendance.
“The Albanese Government has got this horribly wrong,” Mr Coleman said.
“This Bill is appalling and will be strongly opposed by the Coalition.”
Navigating a notorious Islington intersection has become easier and safer for cyclists, students and pedestrians following an $800,000 upgrade by City of Newcastle (CN).
New traffic signals installed at the intersection of Chinchen and Clyde streets were officially switched on last night, signalling completion of the latest stage of work by CN to improve traffic movements and safety in the area.
The intersection sits at the entrance to the Tighes Hill campus of TAFE NSW and the junction of two key cycling routes, and was considered a high priority for improved pedestrian, cyclist and road user safety.
The traffic signals will also assist in the management of traffic at the level crossing on Clyde Street, allowing safe passage through the intersection.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was pleasing to see this long-awaited upgrade delivering improved outcomes for the community.
“City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring community members are able to safely and easily navigate our footpaths, cycleways and road networks,” Cr Nelmes said.
“This Islington intersection is heavily utilised by pedestrians and cyclists accessing Newcastle TAFE and Islington Public School, and we are pleased to have been able to work with the community to improve safety and traffic flows in this area.”
The project, which was funded through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant program, also included the installation of new kerb and guttering as well as extended shared footpath links along Clyde and Chinchen streets.
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the installation of the traffic signals was essential ahead of an important future stage of the project, which would create a separated cycleway in this area.
“This intersection is at the juncture of two major cycling routes, which provide connections from the University of Newcastle into the city centre as well as a key north-south link from the regional route at Griffiths Road,” Cr Clausen said.
“Heavy volumes of traffic flowing through this area necessitated the installation of these traffic signals, and I am pleased to see them become operational for the benefit of all the community.
“The signals will also pave the way for a future stage of this project, which would replace the existing on-road cycle lane with a separated cycleway in this area.
“We continue to work closely with Minister Tim Crakanthorp and the NSW Government to deliver this $950,000 separated cycleway project.”
One of the world’s most successful musicians will be winging his way to Newcastle this October thanks to a major events partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW.
Former Beatle and Wings frontman Paul McCartney will take to the stage at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday 24 October as part of a national tour presented by Frontier Touring.
The concert marks not only Paul McCartney’s first visit to Newcastle, but will also be the first time he has ever played in Australia outside of a capital city.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Paul McCartney concert would cap off an enviable trifecta of international acts that have set their sights on Newcastle as a result of City of Newcastle’s strategic partnership with Venues NSW.
“We are thrilled to welcome global music icon Paul McCartney to our city in October for what will be a night to remember for tens of thousands of appreciative Novocastrians and tourists,” Cr Nelmes said.
“On the back of two unforgettable performances by Elton John in January this year and ahead of next February’s sold-out Pink concert, Newcastle has become a must stop destination for promoters looking for a world-class city to include on their national concert tour schedule.”
Since entering into a formal partnership last year, City of Newcastle and Venues NSW have secured a diverse line-up of major music and sporting events, including the Australian Supercross Championship in 2022 and 2023, the Cup of Nations football double header featuring the Matildas, and an international netball Test Series match between Australia and England.
Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather said it’s been a transformational year for Newcastle and McDonald Jones Stadium.
“Venues NSW has worked incredibly hard over the past 12 months to ensure Newcastle becomes a regular stop on the Australian leg of any artist’s world tour,” Ms Mather said.
“Off the back of the record-breaking Elton John concerts earlier this year, we are delighted to have partnered with Frontier Touring and the City of Newcastle to secure global superstar Paul McCartney and other major events for McDonald Jones Stadium.”
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper added: “It’s incredibly exciting to secure the one-and-only Paul McCartney for Newcastle and Sydney, in what shapes to be the biggest and best concert season ever across the Venues NSW network.”
Cr Nelmes said attracting headline acts of this calibre is a testament to Newcastle’s growth as a world-class event city.
“Events deliver both an immediate and ongoing benefit for the community and economy, with greater visitation, investment and liveability outcomes,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Elton John’s visit to Newcastle injected more than $14 million into the local economy while Pink’s concert is forecast to deliver another $9 million economic windfall for the city, with similar outcomes expected during Paul McCartney’s visit.
“These events also play an essential role in boosting tourism, as well as encouraging repeat visitation in the future.”
Elton John’s concerts were watched by almost 50,000 music fans, with more than 75 per cent of people coming from outside of Newcastle. During this time, Newcastle’s accommodation occupancy rates almost double compared to the same period the year before.
The visitation trends were similarly high for the sporting events, with more than 90 per cent of the Supercross spectators and around 60 per cent of the football fans coming from outside of the local government area.
“Major events are a key part of City of Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan as a primary driver of the local tourism visitor economy,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Ongoing investment in events and tourism is integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust economy.”
Tickets to Paul McCartney at McDonald Jones Stadium go on sale on from Thursday 3 August, with further information available via Frontier Touring at www.frontiertouring.com/.
City of Newcastle has made progress on a range of work underway to address coastal erosion at Stockton, as discussed at a meeting earlier today with the Stockton Community Liaison Group.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes reiterated the importance of continued collaboration and consultation between the City, the NSW Government and the Stockton community.
“Significant work has been undertaken by City of Newcastle staff since Minister Moriarty’s visit in June when she confirmed the NSW Government’s role in funding and delivering amenity and mass sand nourishment at Stockton Beach,” Cr Nelmes said.
“This includes all the front-end work required to support approvals for placement of sand at Stockton Beach.”
In October 2022, the NSW Government was successful in obtaining a $6.2 million grant through the Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program, which includes $4.7 million from the Federal Government and $1.5 million from City of Newcastle.
The grant funds the delivery of more than 100,000 cubic metres of sand onto Stockton Beach and studies into possible sources of much larger volumes of sand from the North Arm of the Hunter River and offshore sources. The grant will also fund the environmental approvals required for mass sand nourishment – a complex process, which has never before been undertaken in NSW.
At a meeting of the Stockton Beach Taskforce in June new Taskforce Chair Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty announced that as part of rolling out the NSW Government’s $21 million commitment for mass sand nourishment, Department of Regional NSW and NSW Public Works would coordinate and deliver the works funded by the Federal grant.
City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Planning and Environment, Michelle Bisson, said City of Newcastle’s work enables the NSW Government to move ahead with the required approvals for placement of sand at Stockton Beach.
“Now that the front-end work is complete, including the environmental assessment for sand placement, development of a detailed monitoring program, and liaison on a Crown Land licence, the NSW Government is in a much better position to deliver on their Stockton Beach nourishment commitments,” Ms Bisson said.
“To ensure there is efficient and seamless delivery of the entire sand nourishment program, the NSW Government is best placed to own the process of sourcing and placing sand on Stockton Beach, and it is appropriate that they own all of the associated approvals.”
Cr Nelmes reiterated appreciation for the Minister’s commitment to get sand back on the beach.
“I again thank Minister Moriarty for her previous commitment that the Department of Regional NSW and NSW Public Works will coordinate and deliver the works to finally get sufficient volumes of sand back onto Stockton Beach,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It’s only right that the NSW Government take on this critical role given it is their infrastructure, namely the breakwater and deepwater navigation channel of the Port of Newcastle, that has been proven as the primary cause of ongoing erosion at Stockton Beach.”
Chair of the Stockton Community Liaison Group Barbara Whitcher said that in this latest update she was pleased to see progress in a number of areas and that she looks forward to further progress in getting sand on the beach.
Budding entrepreneurs will have the chance to take their startup ideas to the next level with applications now open for four pre-accelerator programs aimed at supporting founders from diverse backgrounds, and increasing the number of social impact startups entering the market.
The programslaunch will support under-represented groups in the innovation ecosystem, including women and people with diverse backgrounds, and will be delivered by Startmate, I2N (University of Newcastle), iAccelerate (University of Wollongong) and UNSW Founders (University of NSW).
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the programs will also focus on concepts and individuals that want to drive positive change and deliver social impact.
“Startups can hold the key to solving some of society’s biggest problems and we want to grow the capabilities of entrepreneurs who want to make a difference for the community,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“We also want to build a more diverse innovation ecosystem, which is why these pre-accelerators include opportunities for female founders to take part, along with people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability.
“Pre-accelerators are designed for people at the beginning of the startup journey, where they can further develop their concepts and learn more about the markets in which they operate. On completion of the pre-accelerator, participants may then join an accelerator and receive further training and mentoring to launch their own venture.”
Around 60 participants will take part in the pre-accelerators, running across Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, where individuals who have a startup concept but are unsure how to progress, will be provided with bespoke coaching and mentoring to further develop their ideas.
Wollongong mum Jessica Clark completed a pre-accelerator program with iAccelerate, and went onto launch eco startup Earth Worthy, which sells ethically sourced blankets and sustainable jute bags.
“Getting started as a solo entrepreneur can be a bit daunting, but through the pre-accelerator I was able to connect with peers and like-minded people at different stages of their business journey,” Ms Clark said.
“I felt I was part of a community that supported each other, and through the guidance of mentors and experts in their respective fields, I was able to expand my business networks and ensure I had access to trusted resources.”
The pre-accelerator providers will manage the application process for participants, with the programs to be delivered over the coming months and into next year.
iAccelerate will deliver a 12-week program for 10-15 entrepreneurs looking to deliver social impact.Post completion of the pre-accelerator, participants will be offered a nine-month residency with access to University of Wollongong’s facilities.
University of Wollongong
I2N (University of Newcastle)
I2N will deliver a 10-week program for 10-15 participants.The pre-accelerator is aimed at female founders to boost the number of female-led businesses in the regional ecosystem.
University of Newcastle
Startmate
Startmate will deliver a 10-week program for 20+ ambitious founders. Participants will be mentored by industry experts in the Startmate community with a social impact focus.
Tech Central
UNSW Founders (University of NSW)
UNSW Founders will deliver a 10-week program, called Impact-X, for 10 participants.The pre-accelerator is aimed at founders looking to address an underrepresented healthcare issue, a global unmet medical need, or a healthcare solution for marginalised groups.
Applications are now open for saleyards and processors to apply for part of the $38 million Sheep and Goat eID Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the eID support for the State’s sheep and goat industries will boost biosecurity in NSW.
“Saleyards and processors can now apply for a rebate to help them transition to eID,” Ms Moriarty said.
“Saleyards will receive a 100 per cent rebate for eligible items such as eID readers, auto drafters, structural modifications, connectivity infrastructure, eID hardware, eID software purchase, installation and training as well as project planning and design consultants.
“Processors receive a 50 per cent rebate of the cost of eligible items such as eID readers, hardware, connectivity infrastructure and related training and software.
“The maximum rebate for both saleyards and processors is dependent on their size.”
Ms Moriarty said the NSW Sheep and Goat Traceability Reference Group has been a voice for industry throughout the planning for the transition to sheep and goat eID.
“We have maintained open dialogue with industry through the Reference Group and also sought feedback across the sheep and goat supply chain through direct engagement with stakeholders,” Ms Moriarty said.
The application window for the NSW Sheep and Goat eID Infrastructure Rebate Scheme for saleyards and processors is from 1 August until 31 January 2024, and 3 October until 31 March 2024 for producers and stock and station agents.
Early applications are encouraged, as funding is limited, and applications will be considered in order of date received.
For more information on the implementation of eID for sheep and goats in NSW, visit tlaunchhe DPI website and sign up to the NSW sheep and goat eID newsletter.
Mr Paul Martin, Vice-President of Australian Livestock Markets’ Association (ALMA) said:
“ALMA is encouraged by the recent announcement of funding allocated to its NSW members to assist in the upfront capital costs to participate in this mandatory scheme,” Mr Martin said.
“We are waiting on feedback from those eligible on how the rebates will assist and if the amounts allocated are a fair and accurate reflection of requirements for their respective businesses.
Mr Patrick Hutchinson, CEO, Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) said:
“The rebate will assist processors in being ready to scan eIDs.
“The whole industry, along with the state and federal governments, must continue to work together to ensure the transition to sheep and farmed goat eID is smooth and harmonized across the jurisdictions.”
