NNSW launches first-of-its-kind online Cultural Competency course

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the launch of an interactive Cultural Competency and Reflections E-Learning course entitled C.A.R.E.

The course aims to empower and support the netball community to unite and take action to create positive change for First Nations participants in the game. It will give the NSW netball community a vital toolkit to help create culturally safe and inclusive environments for First Nations peoples who love our game.

C.A.R.E is now free for all netball participants, Clubs and Associations across the State. Importantly, it’s the first course of its kind to be launched by an Australian sporting organisation, and has been designed in close consultation with Netball NSW’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group.

It encourages participants to challenge coaching, officiating, selection and leadership policies and practices within their sphere of influence, given these policies and practices can often exclude or discriminate against Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples. The C.A.R.E package then encourages participants to reflect and advocate for positive alternatives.

Work started on the project in 2018 and Netball NSW General Manager of Performance & Pathways Mardi Aplin said C.A.R.E was the fulfilment of a huge body of work by many stakeholders within the game.

“Education is one of the most important tools to help us build a better future for all, and netball can only fully reach its potential when we provide a safe environment for everyone,” she said.

“The C.A.R.E course is a fantastic achievement, and we are exceptionally proud to be launching a product that provides our netball community with a brilliant resource to ensure ignorance is no longer an excuse when it comes to cultural awareness.  

“The course asks our netball community to put themselves, or their child, in the shoes of the speakers, and to explore their reactions and feelings.

“It is important to acknowledge that to grow, to listen and to learn as a sport, we must be comfortable with being uncomfortable when taking the course. By taking part, our participants are helping to build towards a much better, shared netball experience for everyone.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our RAP Working Group for their wisdom, energy, passion and patience while collaborating with us on this vital education course.”

Alison Tucker-Munro of the NNSW RAP Working Group said the launch of the C.A.R.E course was a very welcome development.

“As Mardi said, education is vital when it comes to Reconciliation, and this online resource is just one step in a bigger journey that our sport must take if we want to work and walk together towards ensuring our sport is genuinely inclusive to all,” she said.

“The course really does highlight the critical role we all play in providing culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal people across NSW. We must strive to be a sport of choice for all Australians, and specifically our First Australians.

“It has taken a very long time to bring this to fruition, but these projects require a lot of time and proper consultation to ensure they can deliver what they are set up to do.
“The Information modules are designed to build knowledge and confidence to enable Associations and Clubs to create culturally safe and inclusive spaces for Aboriginal players, coaches, umpires, selectors and administrators.

“Together, with the help of the netball community we will find a way to stand against racism, because we, and our sport, will all be the better for it.”

To learn more about C.A.R.E, and to take the course, please CLICK HERE

APCO FINALLY COMES CLEAN ON WASTE REDUCTION TARGETS

The Greens are calling for the Albanese Government to immediately mandate waste reduction targets following a report out today revealing Australia will miss its 2025 National Packaging Targets.

Australia set a national target to recover 70% of plastic packaging by 2025, but a review by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation shows just 18% of plastic packaging was recycled or composted in the 2020-21 financial year. 

The review confesses governments will need to pursue harder regulation if plastic producers cannot do better under the current voluntary system of waste reduction. Yet after decades of big plastic producers failing to clean up after themselves, why wait? 

Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“The idea that Australia could reach its 2025 National Packaging Targets under a system that hinges on weak, consumer-obligated, voluntary targets has always been a complete farce. 

“It is mind-blowing that the government is still kicking this can down the road. Big producers of plastic have been operating with impunity, free from any serious penalties or regulation. 

“Voluntary approaches to waste reduction do not work – it’s that simple. Big companies will never care about the planet as much as their profits, which means mandating waste reduction targets is the only way to get them to take the matter seriously.

“Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector, which is projected to account for over a third of growth in oil demand by 2030, and remain one of the biggest drivers of oil extraction over coming decades. 

“Multinational oil and gas corporations are eyeing a rapid expansion in the production of plastics to generate demand for fossil fuels in a decarbonising world. If we end plastic, we can end fossil fuels.

“It is absurd that our waste reduction targets are not legally binding given what we know about the dangers of plastic pollution. To stop the insidious scourge of plastic from intruding into our lives and the environment, the Albanese Government must mandate our nation’s waste reduction targets.”

THE ACTIVITY TEST MUST GO AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE WORKERS DESERVE A PAY RISE NOW

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce’s recommendations that the Government scrap the activity test and give early childhood education and care workers a pay rise in the May budget.The Australian Greens’ have long called for these measures.Senator Faruqi said:“The activity test is a disgrace of a policy. It is cruel, punitive and beyond repair. “The activity test denies access to early childhood education and care for the most disadvantaged children and punishes families with insecure, casual work.“Many thousands of children from disadvantaged families are missing out on early childhood education and care because of the activity test- it should be abolished now. “Dumping the activity test would represent significant progress towards the Greens vision of free, universal early childhood education and care.“The treatment of early childhood education  and care workers is a national shame. They continue to be paid well below what they deserve.“The government can’t keep delaying action. Early childhood education and care workers deserve a pay rise now and recognition and respect for the important work they do. They have been undervalued for far too long. 

Mall building demolition application to be expedited

City of Newcastle (CN) will expedite processing a soon to be lodged Development Application by Iris Capital, to enable the demolition of the buildings located in Phase 3 of its award-winning East End development.

Phase 3 is bound by Hunter, Newcomen, King and Laing Streets and includes the building which previously housed several retail outlets and a food court.

LORDMA-1.JPGLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said CN is committed to the long-term revitalisation of Hunter Street and this is another step towards improving the Mall area as an attractive destination for locals and visitors.

“Delivering the long overdue transformation in the Hunter Street Mall has been a vital project for City renewal. The initial stages highlight the overall vision for the future completed revitalisation of the heritage precinct. The next stage of public domain works are planned and ready to deliver.

“Through close collaboration with NSW Police and Iris Capital we identified that we have some public safety concerns in the final stages of the heritage revitalisation, so action is progressing on the demolition of the non-heritage buildings so the site can be adequately contained,” Cr Nelmes said.

Iris Capital Development Manager Jamie Boswell said this site completes Iris Capital’s contribution to the East End Village and the demolition is an important step towards future development.

“This site provides another opportunity for revitalisation and for Iris Capital to contribute further to the transformation of the Hunter Street Mall and along with City of Newcastle we are committed to public safety and the best outcome for the community is to progress with the demolition of the existing structure as quickly as possible,” Mr Boswell said.

The DA for demolition of the buildings will be expedited following concerns about the current state of the buildings and antisocial behaviour from members of the public and local business owners.

Police are aware of reports of antisocial behaviour in and around these buildings and will continue to work collaboratively with the City of Newcastle and increase proactive police patrols in response.

CN’s Executive Director Planning and Environment, Michelle Bisson, said her team will undertake the assessment as a priority to ensure all requirements are met, including heritage considerations and expect to have the application determined shortly after lodgement.

The East End Public Domain project consists of multiple phases of work with the long term vision to reinstate Hunter Street as a traditional high street and an attractive destination for locals and visitors, with outdoor dining and boutique retail opportunities.

GOVERNMENT MUST HEED THE ADVICE OF ITS WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EQUALITY TASKFORCE

The Greens are calling on the Government to accept all recommendations of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (WEET) in the May Budget, and not make women wait while wealthy men and submarines are prioritised.

The Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce have asked for urgent action on 6 key priority recommendations, to redress gender wealth inequality, all of which the Greens support. 

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:

“The Government asked the WEET for advice about how to deliver women’s financial security, they can’t now ignore the sensible advice on policy reforms to deliver it.

“The women of Australia expect and deserve to be prioritised after nine years of Coalition neglect, and this government can’t claim to be better for women if they make us wait while prioritising tax cuts for the wealthy and submarines.

“This budget is about choices. Choose to implement expert recommendations to help women, children, and those most at-risk or already living in poverty; or continue to cry poor while funding the Stage 3 tax cuts and spending billions on submarines.

“Each of the six key recommendations for women’s economic security were already Greens policy and we back them all. 

“We are pleased to see reversing the Gillard government’s decision to cut off Parenting Payment Single when kids turn 8 as a priority recommendation. Extending parenting support to 16 years would cost $1.4 billion dollars – a fraction of a fraction of the Stage 3 tax cuts and AUKUS spending – but it would be life changing for 500,000 single mums and their kids.

“We strongly support the Taskforce’s call to scrap the degrading, punitive and coercive ParentsNext program. The Greens tried to disallow it back in 2018, and the program has done untold damage since then.

“Just last month the government had the chance to support Greens amendments to their Paid Parental Leave bill and pay super on paid parental leave, costed at $200 million, yet they chose not to. 

“Poverty is a policy choice. Right now, Labor is choosing to keep in place a woeful social security system that leaves millions of women, children, uni students and renters in poverty. 

“The Labor Government has found $368 billion to spend on nuclear submarines and $254 billion in Stage 3 tax cuts for the rich, so has no excuse to reject reforms that will help women struggling to pay rent and put food on the table.

“Labor say they’re on the side of struggling Australians – it’s time they show it, and use that money to make life a bit easier for women and children doing it tough.”

BACKGROUND

In full: Letter to Minister Gallagher re Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce advice for May 2023 Budget (pmc.gov.au)

Six priorities identified by the WEET as urgent and targeted actions: 

  1. Reinstatement of the Parenting Payment (Single) for women with children over eight. This will more appropriately classify single mothers as doing parenting work, rather than as being unemployed. 
  2. Abolition of the Parents Next program. This should be accompanied by a commitment to reinvest in a new evidence-based program co-designed with young parents, and based in principles of encouragement, support, flexibility and meeting their needs. 
  3. Abolition of the Childcare Subsidy Activity Test. 
  4. Payment of Superannuation for primary carers while they are on Paid Parental Leave. 
  5. Increase the rate of Commonwealth Rental Assistance to improve women’s immediate housing security stemming from the lack of affordable, appropriate, and safe housing options. 
  6. Invest in an interim pay-rise for all early childhood educators and aged care workers in recognition of the historical undervaluation of their work and the urgent need to retain and attract workers to the sector. 
     

GREENS LAUNCH PARLIAMENTARY SURVEY TO GET DENTAL INTO MEDICARE

A survey to hear about the community’s dental experiences has been launched as part of the Greens-led, Senate Inquiry into the Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia. 

This survey is available to all people in Australia to complete and will seek the community’s experiences accessing dental services, the barriers they face and their views on how dental care needs to change in Australia. 

The Senate inquiry has been established to investigate issues including the impact of the cost of the living crisis on access to dental services and will consider a pathway to universal access to dental services in Australia. 

The Australian Greens took a policy to the last Federal Election of having dental services available in Medicare. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Chair of the Committee + Greens Spokesperson for Health said: 

“We know so many people aren’t able to go to the dentist because it’s too expensive. More and more people are having to delay going to the dentist living with sore gums, ill-fitting dentures or headaches. 

“As chair of this inquiry, I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to have their voice heard by the parliament. That’s why I am so proud to be launching a survey today – to make it as easy as possible, for as many people as possible to contribute to the Senate inquiry. 

“Nobody should have to suffer tooth pain or dental issues that could be avoided with treatment simply because they can’t afford it. The only way we’re going to get reform to Australia’s dental healthcare is if decision-makers in Canberra actually understand the scale of the problem.

“Whatever your experience is with the dental care system, even if it has been very limited due to these sorts of barriers – your contribution is extremely valuable – please fill in the survey and share your ideas on how we can fix dental care services in Australia.

“This is our opportunity to make dental care truly accessible for all. Together, our voices are strongest.” 

Background

Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Ian Biggs as Australia’s next Ambassador to Austria. Mr Biggs will also be accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Australia has strong relationships with Austria and Central Europe, based on community ties and a shared commitment to support a world which is stable, peaceful, prosperous, and respectful of sovereignty.

We are broadening our cooperation with the region in trade and investment, climate and energy, and foreign and security policy.

Mr Biggs will also be Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where he will also serve on the IAEA Board of Governors.

Australia has a record of steadfast commitment to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime and to supporting the IAEA’s mission to harness the peaceful application of nuclear technology. We are proud of our historical and continued leadership in promoting entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. 

Mr Biggs is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation.

He has previously served overseas as Ambassador to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Deputy Head of Mission in India and Austria and as Special Assistant to the IAEA Director General.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Richard Sadleir for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Austria since 2019.

Appointment of Australian High Commissioners and Ambassadors

Today I announce the appointment of four career public servants to lead Australian posts in Austria, Kiribati, Singapore and the Netherlands.

Our diplomats are the driver of Australia’s engagement with the world and responsible for ensuring our national interests today and into the future.

I am pleased that these highly qualified individuals will take the following positions:

  • Mr Ian Biggs will be Australia’s next Ambassador to Austria, he will also be accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. He will also be Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where he will also serve on the IAEA Board of Governors.
  • Ms Karen Bray as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of Kiribati
  • Mr Allaster Cox as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Singapore.
  • Dr Greg French as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Netherlands.

I thank the outgoing Ambassadors and High Commissioners, for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests.

Changes to Shadow Ministry

Today, I announce the following changes to the Coalition Shadow Ministry.

I am delighted that Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will take on the role of Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians.

Jacinta is a fighter and a warrior for Indigenous Australia. As a proud Territorian, a former councillor and deputy mayor of Alice Springs, and a former small business owner, she has always fought hard to improve the lives of Indigenous women and kids, and tackled immensely difficult issues like the scourge of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and the crisis in law and order in some Indigenous communities.

I am proud of her, and I know she will do an outstanding job in leading the charge for better practical outcomes for Indigenous Australians – not through the Prime Minister’s Canberra Voice Bureaucracy.

Senator Kerrynne Liddle will join the outer shadow ministry as Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence. Kerrynne had a distinguished career prior to entering the Senate, having worked as a senior business leader, small business owner and journalist. A former small business owner and senior leader in the private and public sector, Kerrynne’s extensive professional experience has led to her success in key areas including in the tourism, energy, media, tertiary education, arts, social housing and indigenous affairs sectors. I am delighted she will join my Shadow Ministry and this critical role will allow her unique policy strengths and insights to come to the fore.

I want to thank the Hon. Karen Andrews MP for her many years of fine service on the Coalition frontbench. Karen has offered to step aside from the Shadow Ministry and to return to the backbench. Karen was a distinguished and first-rate minister during the period of the last Coalition government and I am so grateful for her contribution to the Coalition team over many years.

Senator James Paterson will join the Shadow Cabinet as the new Shadow Minister for Home Affairs. As a member and former chairman of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, James has been at the forefront of many of the critical national security debates facing our country in recent years.

James has done an outstanding job in holding the government to account for its failures in cyber security, along with raising the critical issue of foreign interference in our community. He will retain his existing shadow ministerial portfolio of Cyber Security and I am delighted to bring him into the Shadow Cabinet.

Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash will return to a familiar portfolio area for her as she takes on the role of Shadow Attorney-General.

A fierce and talented legal operator, I’m delighted Michaelia will take on this position, in addition to her existing Industrial Relations portfolio remit. With the legal uncertainty, complexity, and constitutional risk inherent in the Prime Minister’s Canberra Voice proposal becoming clearer by the day, I know Michaelia will do a forensic job in this role.

I can assure all Australians that the Coalition will continue to focus on delivering positive plans and policies for the future of our country in 2023 and in the lead-up to the next election.

These new shadow ministry appointments strengthen our team as we approach the task ahead.

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, to Australia from 22-23 April as a guest of the Australian Government.

This will be Prime Minister Hipkins’ second visit to Australia as leader.

This year Australia and New Zealand are celebrating 80 years of diplomatic representation, 50 years of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, and 40 years of our Closer Economic Relations Free Trade Agreement.

Prime Minister Hipkins’ visit will take place shortly before Anzac Day – a commemoration of a formative time in Australia and New Zealand’s shared history.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Hipkins back to Australia for his second visit as leader.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Prime Minister Hipkins to strengthen the close ties and bonds of kinship between our two countries.”