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PLASTIC EXPORT BAN BACKFLIP EXPOSES GOVERNMENT FAILURE TO HOLD BIG POLLUTERS TO ACCOUNT

The Greens again call on the Albanese Government to hold the big polluters to account and regulate Australia’s plastic packaging industry. 

The call comes after a sensational plastic waste export ban backflip by the Government which exposes just how broken the nation’s waste and recycling systems have become.

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

“An export ban on sending plastics overseas for recycling should have signaled a welcome boost for Australia’s recycling industry – particularly for procurement processes – but successive governments have failed to take simple but critical steps to make us self-sufficient waste and recycling managers.

“We’ve had six years to come up with a plan to deal with our waste problem, but no government has been brave enough to deal with the elephant in the room, which is regulating plastic packaging in this country.

“The recycling sector has consistently called for legally binding and mandatory national packaging targets in order to have the confidence to invest in upgrading the infrastructure necessary to process plastic and other waste.

“In 2020 Labor voted in support of a Greens amendment to the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 that would have seen Australia’s National Packaging Targets mandated in law. Sadly the amendment failed by one vote, with multinational packaging corporations winning the day by convincing the Coalition and One Nation to vote in favour of big business. 

“Plastic producers need to clean up their act and take responsibility for the mess they make, and governments need to enforce this through laws and binding regulations. There is nothing complicated about this, it should have been fixed years ago.

“The system is broken. People’s trust has been broken. The Albanese Government must regulate Australia’s plastic packaging industry now.” 

Release of Dr Kenneth Elliott

I am very pleased to advise that Dr Kenneth Elliott has been released after more than seven years in captivity in West Africa. Dr Elliott is safe and well and has been reunited with his wife Jocelyn and their children.

The Australian Government, like the Elliott family, has worked tirelessly toward Dr Elliott’s release.

We acknowledge the strength and resilience Dr Elliott and members of his family have shown through the most difficult of circumstances.

We extend our thanks to the Australian officials who have worked over many years to secure Dr Elliott’s release and to provide support to his family.

Dr Elliott and his family have asked for privacy, and we ask that the media respect their wishes at this time.

The following is attributable is to the family of Dr Elliott:

“We wish to express our thanks to God and all who have continued to pray for us.

“We express our relief that Dr Elliott is free and thank the Australian Government and all who have been involved over time to secure his release. We also continue to pray for those still held and wish them freedom and safe return to their loved ones.

“At 88 years of age, and after many years away from home, Dr Elliott now needs time and privacy to rest and rebuild strength. We thank you for your understanding and sympathy.”

New dog facility to get tails wagging in western suburbs

Construction is underway on the first stage of City of Newcastle’s latest fenced off-leash dog park in Maryland.

The premier facility will be located at Maryland Drive Reserve adjacent to the existing unfenced, leash-free area, with stage one works including the delivery of one fenced area open to all dogs.

Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Cr Deahnna Richardson and Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with Moby, Ginger and Toby at the Maryland Reserve site where stage one of the new fenced off-leash dog park is being built.

Shelters with tables, informal sandstone seating, dog bubblers and extensive landscaping including trees for shade will also be included in the stage one area.

A future second stage of the project will feature an additional off-leash area to separate large and small dogs, as well as a formalised car park with accessible parking, additional seating and landscaping.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the first fenced area is expected to be complete by mid-June with the existing off-leash dog area remaining open.

“With more than 63,000 dogs registered in our city, we know Novocastrians are passionate about their canine companions and want more spaces where their dogs can safely exercise and mix with other pets,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle is committed to providing a variety of off-leash options throughout Newcastle and has already delivered the city’s first fully fenced off-leash dog park at Acacia Avenue Reserve, as well as upgrades to the existing popular area in Islington Park.

“Formalised off-leash dog areas enable people to take their dogs to a place where they can legally run free, exercise and socialise with other dogs. They also provide pet owners with a meeting place and an opportunity to connect with others in the community.

“This new project at Maryland will provide a premier facility for dog lovers in our western suburbs, which is sure to be popular with pet owners who already make the most of the unfenced off-leash area within this popular reserve.”

The Maryland Dog Park forms part of the Dogs in Open Space Plan, which was adopted by City of Newcastle in 2019 to guide the provision, improvement and management of off-leash dog areas during the next 10 years.

Libs: Questions the Premier must answer

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has called on Premier Chris Minns to immediately make clear what his proposed public sector wage rise will cost the people of NSW.

“Before the election Mr Minns said that he would negotiate wage deals with each sector individually, meaning the people of NSW were in the dark about the potential cost and impact of his deal to win union support; today we’re still in the dark,” Mr Speakman said.

“Within the first couple of months of the new Labor government, we’re seeing nurses and ambulance workers walk off the job because the Premier hasn’t kept his word. The people of NSW shouldn’t suffer because of the Premier’s broken promise.”

“The Premier needs to come clean and answer the following questions:

1. When will the government remove the wages cap?

2. When will he sit down with the unions to discuss their demands?

3. What is the figure of the pay rise he says is being developed, how much will it cost, and what programs and projects will need to be cut to pay for it?”

“Prior to the election, the Parliamentary Budget Office found that costs would increase by $2.6 billion over three years if public sector wages rose by 1% above the cap. Reports today suggest that unions are demanding a 6.5% increase in the next year, putting major pressure on the Budget.

“We know that removing the cap removes Budget certainty, we know that we’re looking at billions in uncosted additional spending, and we know that the PBO has said Labor’s plans to offset additional costs through productivity gains have proven difficult in practice,” Mr Speakman said.

“This means the people of NSW will continue to face cuts to cost-of-living programs, such as the Active Kids vouchers, and cuts to key infrastructure projects so that Labor can meet the unions’ demands.”

“We have a government that is completely silent on this unfolding crisis with a Premier who can’t tell us his government’s priorities, all while the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW are put at risk. It’s time for the Premier to honour his word and sort this mess out,” Mr Speakman concluded.

Yunupingu Eulogy

It’s often said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. Yunupingu was a giant who made sure we could.

He lifted us up and held us there so that we could see as far as he did.

And what a vision he shared with us.

A vision underpinned by an unbending belief in the need for Aboriginal people to hold their future in their own hands.

A vision so grounded in all that was just and fair and right that, ultimately, it elevated us all.

He had every right to be cynical, but he wasn’t. No matter how often Australia let him down, he kept striving to have us rise to his level of integrity.

And as he did, what Yunupingu helped us all to see was not the reinvention of Australia, but the realisation of an even greater one.

Now his life is at an end, we gather in the place where it began.

And as we gaze out to where the Gulf of Carpentaria meets the sky, we soften our sorrow with joy and gratitude for all that his life was.

It is an honour to be here in the country that so filled his heart, but as it’s my first time in Arnhem Land without him, it is a poignant one.

Yet his presence – and the reminders of all he believed in and all that mattered to him – are all around us, the profound cultural, political, social and economic legacies of a leader.

Of a statesman.

A painter, dancer, singer and musician.

Australian of the Year in 1978. Member of the Order of Australia. A national treasure.

A remarkable member of a remarkable family.

A great Yolngu man. An extraordinary Australian, who understood if you want to make your voice count, you have to make sure that it is heard.

He made sure with the sheer power of his advocacy for land rights.

He made sure when he helped draft the Yirrkala Bark Petitions, which delivered such a powerful message that resounded within the walls of the nation’s Parliament.

He made sure when he co-created that blueprint for treaty, the Barunga Statement.

And he made sure in his crucial role in that masterclass of concise and unifying eloquence, the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

In his words: “At Uluru we started a fire, a fire we hope burns bright for Australia.”

Now Yunupingu is gone, but the gurtha — the great tongue of flame and truth with which spoke to us — is still here. And it lights the path ahead for us.

We will never again hear his voice anew, but his words – and his legacy – will keep speaking to us.

The finest tribute we can offer to his memory is within our grasp.

Yunupingu walked in two worlds with authority, power and grace, and he worked to make them whole — together.

Now he walks in another place, but he has left such great footsteps for us to follow here in this one.

With deepest respect. Vale Yunupingu.

AUSTRALIA STANDS WITH UKRAINE AND THE G7 AGAINST RUSSIA’S INVASION

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong today announced financial sanctions and an export ban, targeting sectors of economic and strategic significance to Russia.

These additional targeted measures aim to slow Russia’s war machine.

Australia’s action is part of a push by international partners, who are meeting at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima this week.

Australia has already sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and entities who are supporting Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

The new financial sanctions will target 21 entities and three individuals, including:

  • Subsidiaries of Russian state-owned atomic energy corporation Rosatom that are involved in nuclear research, infrastructure development and weapons manufacturing.
  • The Russian entity created to take over Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
  • Russia’s largest petroleum company Rosneft.
  • Russia’s largest gold company Polyus PJSC.
  • One of Russia’s largest steel companies Severstal PJSC.
  • Defence entities supporting Russia’s war.
  • Five Russian banks with operations across the Russian Federation.

The Australian Government will also implement a ban on the export of all machinery and related parts to Russia and areas temporarily under Russian control. This will prevent Australian goods from aiding Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Australia stands with Ukraine and pays tribute to the unwavering resilience and courage displayed by the Ukrainian people. We mourn the incalculable losses that Ukraine continues to endure and acknowledge the far-reaching negative economic impacts Russia’s invasion has had on the world, including in the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia again calls on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory and end this war.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Australia stands with Ukraine. We pay tribute to the unwavering resilience and courage displayed by the Ukrainian people.”

“Australia again calls on Russia to cease its illegal and immoral war against the people of Ukraine.”

“We will continue to work with the G7 and international partners to address the global impacts of Russia’s invasion.”

“This includes food and energy insecurity, which is a significant concern for our own region.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said:

“This action targets sectors of economic and strategic significance to Russia.”

“This includes the financial, energy, defence and metals sectors that aid and sustain Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

“We are also banning exports of Australian machinery and related parts to Russia to slow its war machine.”

“Russia cannot be allowed to infringe upon another country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Export ban consultation

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will shortly commence public consultation on the export ban, with implementation of the ban to follow.

Businesses or individuals that wish to participate in consultation on the machinery export ban should subscribe to alerts with the Australian Sanctions Office: Australia and sanctions – Contacts and links

Body located in search for man missing from Hunter region 

A body has been located during the search for a man missing from the state’s Hunter region.

The 42-year-old man was last seen driving on Great North Road, Laguna, on Thursday 13 April 2023, after it is believed his vehicle broke down on his way home.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

As part of inquiries, officers with assistance from specialist police resources and the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), conducted a search operation in the Laguna area where they located a body on Tuesday (16 May 2023).

A post mortem examination will be conducted to confirm the identity of the person and the cause of death.

Detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Missing Persons Registry, assisted by Hunter Valley police, established Strike Force Blakely to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Inquiries continue.

PBO ANALYSIS SHOWS LABOR’S STAGE 3 TAX CUTS BLOWS OUT TO $313BN, REWARDING THE RICH AND RIPPING BILLIONS OUT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The cost of Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts, withheld from media on Budget night, amounts to a Budget black hole of $313 billion over the decade, according to Greens-commissioned analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office. This is a massive 23% increase on previous estimates.

The Stage 3 tax cuts will continue to turbocharge inequality, disproportionately rewarding men at close to double what women receive, with 65% of the benefits flowing to men over the next decade.

$157 billion, just over half of the total cost of stage 3 tax cuts over the decade, will flow to people earning over $180,000 a year. In the latest year of data, only 3.6% of people earned over $180,000 a year. Previous analysis has shown that the top 1% of earners will receive more than the lowest 60% of income earners combined.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“Labor’s tax cuts for the rich are ripping money away from everyone else,” Mr Bandt said. 

“Labor’s keeping renters in crisis and people in poverty while giving $313 billion in tax cuts to the wealthy. 

“Instead of freezing rents or getting dental into Medicare, Labor’s giving tax cuts to politicians and billionaires.

“Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts for the wealthy are a massive black hole, sucking in money that should be spent on services for everyone.

“Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts are a $313 billion handout to the rich, dismantling our progressive tax system and driving Australia towards US-style inequality.

“Food bank queues are growing and people can’t pay the rent, but Labor’s giving billionaires like Clive Palmer a $9,000 a year tax cut.

“Labor’s $30b a year in handouts for the rich is more than 60 times their affordable housing spend. How can Labor spend over $30b a year on tax cuts for the wealthy, but not $5b a year for public housing as the Greens want?”

Greens spokesperson for Economic Justice, Nick McKim said:

“Labor’s stage 3 tax cuts are a body blow to Australia’s progressive income tax system,” Senator McKim said. 

“It is unconscionable that a PM who got elected on a story of growing up in public housing would so cynically pull the ladder up behind him.

“The idea of giving $313 billion in tax cuts to the wealthy instead of freezing rents, lifting Centrelink above the poverty line and building public and affordable housing is beyond disgraceful.

“In Australia the fastest growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness is now children under 11. Homelessness is now a real threat to any person or family that experiences a bit of bad luck.

“Millions of people are stuck on poverty payments because the budget apparently can’t afford to allow people to both eat and pay rent, and report after report shows there’s not a single rental affordable to people on Jobseeker, while many workers are paying 60% of their income in rent.“

Key cultural conference puts Newcastle in the spotlight

Newcastle will become the cultural capital of Australia this week, with almost 500 representatives of the country’s museums and galleries sector gathering in the city for their annual conference.

The Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) 2023 National Conference is one of the largest business events being hosted by City of Newcastle this year, and is expected to inject almost $1 million into the local economy.

Delegates from across Australia, New Zealand and around the world are taking part in four days of workshops and panel discussions from May 16-19, tackling “brave conversations and new connections in changing environments”.

City of Newcastle’s cultural facilities will be showcased to the delegates throughout the conference, with events being held at Newcastle City Hall, Civic Theatre and Newcastle Museum, while the packed program also includes a special presentation on the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle’s rich cultural heritage and capacity to host major business events made it a perfect fit for AMaGA’s national gathering, which was also held in the city in 2009.

“Newcastle has a proud legacy of preserving, sharing and celebrating culture, history and art through its iconic and award-winning cultural facilities,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Our city also offers broad appeal as a host destination for large-scale business events, with top-class conferencing and meeting facilities as well as a range of quality accommodation options.

“We are proud to be the first regional area to play host to the AMaGA National Conference for a second time, and encourage the visiting delegates to explore all the city has to offer while they are here.”

City of Newcastle Director Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Julie Baird, who is also the AMaGA National Council Vice President, said the national conference provided an opportunity for members of the sector to share, collaborate and learn.

“The conference is a wonderful chance to learn from the experiences of our colleagues in this sector, expand our networks, discuss opportunities to collaborate with others and discover new and exciting travelling exhibitions that we might be able to bring to our facilities,” Ms Baird said.

British theatre impresario keen to bring more Broadway shows to Newcastle

Hot on the heels of Come From Away’s record-breaking Newcastle season at the Civic Theatre, leading English theatre operator and producer Sir Howard Panter has visited the city as part of a reconnaissance trip scouting new locations to host future Broadway productions.

Sir Howard owns and operates 16 theatres across Europe as well as Sydney’s Theatre Royal on a 55 year lease from the NSW Government. He is currently in Australia to attend the opening of the Broadway jukebox smash Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, on Thursday at the Theatre Royal.

Sir Howard Panter and City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath
His company, Trafalgar Entertainment, is also responsible for producing a range of major theatre shows including Jersey Boys, The Rocky Horror Show, Jagged Little Pill, 42nd Street and War Horse.

Sir Howard and his team were in Newcastle today to take a firsthand look at the iconic Civic Theatre as well as the heritage-listed Victoria Theatre, which is undergoing a $5 million restoration project ahead of being reopened next year.

Sir Howard Panter said he’s been hearing for some time now of the excitement and reinvention of Newcastle.

“So many people have told me that I have to come to Newcastle. I was promised a mature, heritage city built on both the harbour and the coastline. Having now finally made my way here, I must say I’ve been blown away by what Newcastle has to offer,” Sir Howard said.

“To have a theatre of the size and grandeur of the Civic Theatre next to a new five-star hotel with light rail access on its doorstep, and a plethora of fine dining options on offer at Honeysuckle, it’s about as close to ‘theatre heaven’ as it gets.

“The Civic has that old world European feel to it that just adds to the sense of time travel that great theatre shows can take their audience on. I couldn’t be more keen to bring a Broadway show to Newcastle and hope we have some exciting news to share with the city in the next few months.”

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath met with Sir Howard and said discussions to bring Trafalgar’s first show to the Civic Theatre are well advanced.

“The reinvention of Newcastle as a cosmopolitan, thriving major events city has been known for some time to entertainment and producers throughout Australia. The record-breaking local staging of Come From Away has grabbed the attention of international theatre producers such as Trafalgar, who recognise the burgeoning theatre demand that exists in Newcastle, and the Hunter,” Mr Bath said.

“Having someone of Sir Howard’s stature make time to travel to Newcastle from his London base is both an honour and an opportunity to showcase all our city has to offer.

“With a thriving local night time economy, $110 million expansion of Newcastle Airport underway to enable international flights to the city, $45 million expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery to house the most valuable art collection in regional Australia, and a theatre catchment that stretches from NSW’s Central Coast to Port Macquarie, it’s really no surprise that theatre producers are circling Newcastle.

“Few theatres compare to the majesty of the Civic Theatre in Newcastle and Come From Away impressed theatregoers during its recent Newcastle debut, smashing previous box office ticket sales records and whetting the city’s appetite for more Broadway live musical theatre.

“Newcastle is ready willing and able to add its name to the national touring list of major shows when they visit Australia.”

More than 21,500 theatregoers from across the Hunter and as far away as Tasmanian and Queensland flocked to the Civic Theatre during Come From Away’s three-week extended run in February to share in the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from around the world who were grounded in Newfoundland Canada in the wake of 9/11.

Newcastle was also the first regional city in Australia to stage Van Gogh Alive, with 84,000 tickets sold in just five weeks for the immersive, multi-sensory display of the painter’s iconic artworks, delivered as part of New Annual 2022.