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GREENS SECURE HIT ON COAL AND GAS IN SAFEGUARD DEAL

HARD CAP AND POLLUTION TRIGGER, BEETALOO AND OTHER 116 NEW COAL AND GAS PROJECTS ON THE ROPES

The Greens have negotiated significant changes to the Safeguard Mechanism legislation that will impact on coal and gas, including stopping many of the new coal and gas projects in the development pipeline, freezing low integrity offset projects and putting in place a declining hard cap on the scheme to ensure Australia’s actual (not net) pollution goes down. In light of these and a package of other significant amendments, the Greens will support the Safeguard Mechanism legislation and regulations.

In brief, the Greens’ secured amendments include:

A hard cap or ceiling on actual or absolute (gross) emissions, which won’t be able to exceed current pollution levels (140 MT per annum), and there will be a decreasing cap over time. Pollution will actually now go down, not up, and the coal and gas corporations can’t buy their way out of it with offsets. This puts a limit on coal and gas expansion in Australia. Actual pollution from safeguard entities was forecast to rise under Labor’s original safeguard, from about 140MT now to between 155-184MT in 2030.
A pollution trigger in the Safeguard Mechanism Bill that will require the Climate Change Minister to test a new or expanded project’s impact on the hard cap and net carbon Budgets. If the assessment finds that the project would contribute to exceeding the cap or Budget, the Minister must consult and recalibrate the rules (such as by limiting ACCUs, reducing the value of ACCUs or adjusting the decline rates of baselines) or impose conditions on new entrants. Using these wide-ranging powers, the Minister could set baselines at zero and ACCU allowance at zero, effectively stopping a project from proceeding. The Minister’s action or lack of action would be subject to legal enforcement. Approvals under the EPBC and advice from the Climate Change Authority would trigger the assessment as would assessment of emissions data and forecasts.
All Scope 1 emissions from the Beetaloo gas project will have to be net-zero with Scope 2 and 3 emissions referred to the Ministerial Energy Council. This will be a significant financial barrier in the way of the project proceeding.
All new gas fields for LNG export will need to be net zero CO2 from day one.
The agreement will significantly improve the integrity of ACCUs with a freeze on the most dubious offset class (Human Induced Regeneration) until they are subject to an independent audit.
The Bill will include a requirement for incentives for onsite abatement and to ensure facilities are encouraged to actually cut pollution.
Corporations will be required to justify their use of offsets if they use offsets for more than 30% of their baseline.
A review by the CCA in 2026-27 will look at the use of offsets and implementing measures to restrict their use if on-site abatement isn’t occurring to satisfactory levels.
The Powering the Regions fund will not be used to fund coal or gas projects.
The grant funding power the Liberal government used to subsidise fossil fuel projects will be changed in the Act to prevent funding for extracting coal and gas.
Increased methane monitoring, leading to greater coal and gas emissions reductions.
A Climate Change Authority-led sectoral emission reduction plans to make it harder for coal and gas projects to get financed and to support the litigation of greenwashing.
For the first time the Act will require reporting of all types of gases and offset generation use creating greater transparency and pressure on corporations to do more.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“Coal and gas have taken a huge hit. The Greens have stopped many of the 116 new coal and gas projects in the pipeline from going ahead, pollution will actually go down, and we’ve derailed the Beetaloo and Barossa gas fields.

“Coal and gas pollution was set to soar under Labor’s safeguard. The Greens have introduced a hard cap on emissions, meaning real pollution must actually come down and the coal and gas corporations can’t buy their way out of the cap with offsets. This puts a limit on coal and gas expansion in Australia. Pollution will now go down, not up, as it was set to under Labor.

“We’ve secured a pollution trigger that, for the first time in history, means new projects must be assessed for their impact on climate pollution and they can be stopped. Labor now has the power to stop coal and gas projects that would breach the pollution cap. Every new coal and gas project that gets approved from here on in is Labor’s direct responsibility.

“With our significant amendments, the Greens will be voting to pass the Bill and will back the regulations but the fight against all new coal and gas continues.

“In balance of power, the Greens have stopped many of the 116 coal and gas projects in the pipeline from proceeding, and now we’re coming after the rest.

“To everyone who is despairing about the future and wants real climate action, today you should have a spring in your step, because it shows we can take on the coal and gas corporations and win.

“The fight is not over, because in the middle of a climate crisis, Labor still wants to open more coal and gas.

“With a Senate willing to act, the only obstacle to stopping all new coal and gas in this Parliament is Labor.

“We will continue to push to strengthen the environment laws that will come before the Parliament next year and to fight fossil fuel subsidies in the budget. We will back the fights of communities right around the country who are fighting these coal and gas projects in the pipeline, including Scarborough and Narrabri. We will build a movement like this country has never seen to stop Labor opening the rest of the 116 coal and gas mines.”

Greens spokesperson for Resources and First Nations Senator Dorinda Cox said:

“The Beetaloo and Barossa projects have been derailed. There are serious questions raised about whether these climate bombs will be financially viable now, raising a red flag to investors pouring money into these projects.

“This is a big day for the Greens movement, but an even bigger day for the Traditional Owners and mob whose lands and waters are under threat from the climate bombs that are Barossa and Beetaloo projects. I have stood in solidarity with you, on-Country, and witnessed first hand how these companies and their projects would destroy your way of life.

“To the 8 Tiwi clan groups led by the Munupi clan, and the more than 60 native title holders that formed the Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation, this is a moment you can share in. Free, Informed Prior Consent was never given before the government allowed your sacred sites, land and sea Country to be destroyed by fossil fuel companies.

“It’s the determination and perseverance of First Nations people, and with Greens in balance of power, we can hold this Labor Government accountable to engaging and working with mob and taking real action on climate change.

“This is an important first step, but our work is not over. We will continue to push the Government further and faster, and continue our campaign for no new coal and gas projects.”

Exhibition tells Australian military stories through tattoos

Stories of service life and sacrifice inked on the skin of current and former Australian military personnel have been made into a powerful photographic exhibition now on display at Newcastle Museum.

Curated by the Australian War Memorial, Ink in the Lines features the stories and tattoos of 22 veterans from across Australia. The 76 photographic portraits are the result of an Australian War Memorial photographic commission conducted in 2018.

Newcastle-Museum-director-Julie-Baird-with-Councillor-Carol-Duncan.JPG

Audio interviews played on screens within the exhibition help capture the raw emotion of each participant as they explain why they chose to commemorate and honour their service, or the service of loved ones, through the medium of tattooing.

Australian War Memorial senior curator Stephanie Boyle says she is thrilled to bring the touring exhibition to Newcastle and hopes it resonates with local audiences with the region’s strong military heritage.

“Behind every tattoo is a story. Ink in the Lines does what no other exhibition in Australia has done – it shares stories of Australia’s military veterans through their tattoos,” Ms Boyle said.

“Personal stories are the cornerstone of the exhibition. Every veteran who participated in the commission volunteered to share their experiences and motivation for getting inked. Some stories are painful, others inspiring, all are deeply personal.

“Through powerful images and stories, the exhibition provides an engaging and interactive platform for the examination and understanding of contemporary tattooing in today’s Defence Forces, set within the context of the broader history of tattooing in Australian military forces.”

Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said the exhibition evoked powerful emotions and provides a unique insight into the lived experience of Australia’s service personnel and their families.

“One can’t help but walk away from this exhibition with a renewed respect for what it’s like to be a veteran, and the personal toll it takes to serve Australia in the military,” Cr Duncan said.

“This is a very special exhibition to have here in Newcastle especially with upcoming Anzac Day commemorations. I encourage all Novocastrians to view this powerful free exhibition at the Museum.”

City of Newcastle Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning, Julie Baird, said touring exhibitions played an important role in Newcastle Museum’s programming.

“Ink in the Lines demonstrates the Museum’s commitment to providing quality exhibitions that appeal to a wide range of audiences and provide insight into a diverse range of subjects that help us understand our history and identity,” Ms Baird said.

“Tattoo art is an incredibly popular form of self-expression and creativity, which often has deeply personal and meaningful motivation. We’re honoured to be able to explore the stories behind these tattoos in this incredible exhibition, which is sure to attract visitors interested in the tattoos themselves as well as those with a more personal connection to the armed forces.”

Ink in the Lines is on exhibition until Sunday 4 June 2023. Newcastle Museum opens from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday and seven days during the school holidays. Visit the Newcastle Museum website for more information.

Is Australia’s Constitution Under Threat? How the ‘Machinery’ Bill Could Change the Country Forever

In a devastating blow to Australians who value the integrity of our constitution, the Liberal, Labor and Greens party teamed up to pass the ‘machinery’ bill that is required to run a referendum on the Voice.

We were not surprised that the Labor party would stack the decks for their outrageous Voice proposals but we were absolutely gutted to see the Liberals roll over to allow Labor exactly what they wanted.

Passing this bill takes aim to destroy our constitution, and it wasn’t the only act of political bastardry in parliament house yesterday.

A group of Aboriginal Australians, who travelled to Canberra to make urgent representations opposing the Voice, were ignored by the major parties whilst the machinery bill was being voted on. 

Do you think any of the big party leaders showed these courageous Australians any attention? No.

This group of great Australians paid for their own flights; they were that keen to have their voices heard.

No leaders other than a handful of gutsy pollies, including Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts, showed any interest in listening to the proud Aussies give their perspective.

Do you think this delegation of brave Aussies got any media attention? No.

The media were more interested in covering the arrangements that have made the Liberals a sub-branch of the Labor party. Courtesy of the Liberals, the government has been provided with a fat, woke-left-wing slush fund of taxpayers’ money for a ‘civic’ education program as part of the referendum process.

We are sure ‘re-education’ camps are firmly on the menu for anyone who dares question the extremist left’s demands that Aboriginals swallow their shocking paternalism and neo-colonial posturing.

Apart from formalising their status as a sub-branch of the Labor Party, the Liberals also spent the day voting against amendments our Senators put forward to the referendum bill. The amendments would have saved Aussies $100mill by holding the vote on the same day as the federal election and inserting citizen-initiated referendums into the bill.

How cheeky of One Nation, trying to save tax-payers $100mil AND giving everyone a voice by turning the politician’s referendum process on its head and handing it over to the people.

Darby Street’s outdoor dining on the table to stay

Extended outdoor dining options could be here to stay on Newcastle’s renowned eat street following a successful six-month trial by City of Newcastle.

Councillors will vote next week to retain the popular raised outdoor dining deck installed along a section of Darby Street under the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces initiative.

Key features of the trial recommended to be retained include the raised outdoor dining deck, a pedestrian crossing adjacent to the Headphones Courtyard and the reduction of the speed limit to 30km/h.

Extensive consultation was undertaken with businesses, residents, and the community before and during the trial, which was designed to encourage increased visitation and trade along Darby Street after the impacts of COVID-19 while also improving pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said feedback from businesses and the community showed strong support for the improvements.

“In the first three months of the trial we saw a 67% increase in visitation, a 13% increase in cyclists using Darby Street, and average vehicle speeds north of Council Street were reduced from 42km/h to 30km/h,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Overall, most people (69%) who provided feedback in our online survey support retaining the trial infrastructure.

“This trial gave us a unique opportunity to try new things and test ideas for community spaces and we can take these learnings to other commercial areas across the Newcastle LGA.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said he worked closely with a small number of businesses and residents who raised concerns about the loss of parking and noise impacts from the traffic calming infrastructure.

“During the trial we had some feedback that noise was being generated by speed humps at the southern entry of the 30km/h zone while others provided feedback about cyclist safety at the northern entry,” Cr Clausen said.

“Should the infrastructure be retained, these items would be addressed with a revised design for the traffic calming infrastructure, which would be placed on public exhibition in April for the community to review and comment on.

“We also heard that the community supported the continuation of the free, two-hour timed parking in the Queen Street carpark which was introduced to compensate for on-street parking losses.”

Council will consider the future of the trial infrastructure at next week’s Council meeting.

The trial was made possible with a $500,000 grant from the NSW Government through the Streets as Shared Spaces program (Round 2) and funding from the City of Newcastle’s Urban Centres Program.

Newcastle City Budget to deliver record infrastructure boost alongside second consecutive surplus

More than $137 million has been earmarked for investment into local facilities and infrastructure projects as part of a record Budget balancing community needs with a $6.9 million surplus.

The Council will place its 2023-24 Budget on public exhibition for community feedback next week.

It includes City of Newcastle’s largest annual capital works program to date, with almost 270 projects planned across the city during the next financial year.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said a key focus of this Budget is maintaining ongoing financial sustainability alongside the delivery of a high level of essential community services.

“Our list of projects extends across the city, with increased investments in community infrastructure, facilities and services that will help renew and reinvigorate Newcastle as we continue to build an inclusive, liveable, and sustainable city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Infrastructure renewal is a priority to deliver everyday benefits to all Novocastrians, with $26.5 million to be invested in roads, bridges, footpaths and community buildings including $7.5 million for our citywide road resurfacing program.

“Almost $20 million will be spent delivering new and improved parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities, which provide important opportunities for the community to engage in active and healthy lifestyles.

“This includes $5 million towards the first stage of the landmark all-abilities playground and water park at Foreshore Park and construction of the reimagined playground and amenities upgrade at Hamilton’s much-loved Gregson Park, as well as $7.5 million to improve inland pools and ocean baths across the city, including the continued revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths and delivery of the Lambton Park Swimming Centre grandstand upgrade in time for the new swim season.

“These projects are fundamental to improving the way we work and live, as well as ensuring we continue to be an attractive destination for visitors and investment.”

Other Budget highlights include:

$22.5 million towards the expansion of Newcastle Art Gallery
$14 million to complete the remediation of the former landfill site at Astra Street in Shortland
$13.5 million for environmental sustainability, including $1.5 million towards street tree planting
$8 million towards planning and protecting our coastline, estuaries and wetlands
$6.9 million for urban and city centre revitalisation projects including the next stage of the East End upgrade in the Hunter Street Mall, and Local Centre upgrades at New Lambton
$5 million will be invested in cycleways and transport options
$4.9 million on stormwater upgrades to address localised flooding
$4.7 million towards the construction of an organics facility to compost food and garden waste and a materials recovery facility to increase our capabilities for recycling and reuse of waste products
$4.2 million towards the replacement of the Boscawen Street Bridge to reduce the risk of flooding in the Wallsend CBD
$2 million to continue works to beautify and improve access along Bathers Way.

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said prudent financial management will deliver a second consecutive surplus budget without compromising our capacity to maintain services and meet community commitments.

“City of Newcastle is not immune to the unprecedented levels of inflationary pressures and high costs of living impacting our community,” Mr Bath said.

“However, through prudent financial management, we will improve our budget position to a $6.9 million surplus in 2023–2024. Our current and future budget surpluses will provide funding for unforeseen and future projects in our city.”

LABOR’S FRESH START PLAN FOR THE ECONOMY & JOBS

Central to our future prosperity is the growth of a NSW economy that works in the interests of people – not the other way around.

The Liberals and Nationals have sold off over $90 billion worth of public assets but failed to set our economy up for the future. Since they came to office 12 years ago, the number of people in NSW finishing apprenticeships each year has more than halved; the state has lost 42,000 manufacturing jobs; and NSW gross debt has increased by five times to over $128 billion.

And by selling off so many public assets, our budget has lost billions of dollars in dividends that were previously reinvested back into essential services like schools and hospitals.

Labor’s Fresh Start Plan will build a strong economy for the future and provide jobs growth and skills to fulfill the ambitions of the people of NSW.

We’ll halt the privatisation of public assets, back local manufacturing – starting by building the Tangara replacement trains right here, back local businesses with a NSW Jobs First Commission, and address the skills gap through TAFE Manufacturing Centres of Excellence.

LABOR’S FRESH START PLAN FOR ENERGY & RENEWABLES

Across the state, we’ve heard from families and businesses struggling with rising power bills.

For 12 years, our electricity network has been sold off to the highest bidder without adequate investment in renewable energy. This has left NSW more exposed to the impact of global affairs on energy supply.

The results speak for themselves – record high energy prices, and an energy system on the brink of disaster.

Labor’s Fresh Start Plan will stop any further privatisation of our energy assets.

We will create the NSW Energy Security Corporation, a state-owned body that will accelerate investment in renewable energy assets to deliver cleaner and more reliable energy and help keep the lights on.

We will legislate NSW’s carbon emissions reduction targets, including net zero by 2050 and a 50% reduction on 2005 carbon emissions levels by 2030. And we will establish a Net Zero Commission to monitor and review our progress, its impacts on jobs and industry, as well as energy prices.

LABOR’S FRESH START PLAN FOR ROADS & TRANSPORT

Labor believes everyone should have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable transport – whether that be road, rail, bus, light rail, bike or emerging platforms.

Our Fresh Start Plan will invest in better public transport – including an end to the privatisation of these essential services.

We will improve the quality of public transport by building our trains, buses, ferries and light rail right here in NSW.

And we will stop selling our motorways to private, for-profit companies, and instead deliver practical toll relief to motorists by introducing a $60 weekly toll cap.

Only Labor will deliver the transport system that NSW deserves.

Newcastle to remain the regional home of basketball

Newcastle Basketball, City of Newcastle and the State Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper have today announced a new $30 million basketball stadium will be built in Newcastle.

The NSW Government will fund the construction of the regional level, indoor basketball facility in Newcastle after committing an additional $5 million to a previous $25 million commitment for what was then intended to be a new stadium on Hillsborough Road, Charlestown.

An artist's impression of Newcastle Basketball's proposed new basketball stadium.

The new facility will be built on a Crown Land site managed by City of Newcastle opposite McDonald Jones Stadium in Broadmeadow. The 12-court stadium will be built in two stages; stage one seeing the construction of up to eight courts, and stage two including a show court for 2,000 spectators.

Independent Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper, who secured the additional funding commitment from the NSW Government, said the facility will be a major boost for basketball in the region.

“I’m really glad the Government has agreed to this extra funding and I’m hopeful that Labor will match it,” Mr Piper said.

“It’s a shame the stadium couldn’t be built on the originally-intended site in Lake Macquarie, but this still gives us a first-class regional facility which can be accessed by everyone from Morisset to Port Stephens.

“We all know that construction costs have soared by more than 20% in recent years, so this additional money will make sure we get the regional facility we deserve rather than a scaled-back version of the original.

“It will not only cater for our next generation of basketball stars but also major events and sports tourism, so I’m very pleased to have got the $30m required to build this fantastic regional facility.”

Newcastle Basketball General Manager Matt Neason and President Kristi Faber with Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and representatives of the Newcastle basketball community at today's announcement.

Newcastle Basketball President Kristi Faber said the new stadium will be one of the largest in Australia and will serve its massive catchment of Newcastle, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie.

“This is a great result for Newcastle basketball. We would like to thank the State member for Lake Macquarie, Mr Greg Piper, for his ongoing support of this project,” Ms Faber said.

“The only thing preventing further growth is our existing stadium beside Broadmeadow Train Station, which is 53 years old and just too small to cater for player demand.

“Because we currently utilise six courts, with only two of these being full size, registrations for all our competitions and programs typically fill within a week. This means we are turning children away literally every week of the year.

“This funding allows elite and amateur basketball to remain in Newcastle, which is the geographical centre of our catchment. The new site on Turton Road has great public transport links, and ample accommodation and hospitality venues to support national tournaments that will now come to Newcastle.”

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the proposed development immediately across from Broadmeadow sports and entertainment precinct would deliver vital new sporting infrastructure for the community.

“For more than half a century Newcastle has been the physical and spiritual home of basketball in this region, with a proud tradition of developing players who have gone on to represent the sport at the highest level,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Today Newcastle Basketball’s ability to meet the demand for the sport in the region has been constrained by the ageing stadium at Broadmeadow, which is no longer fit for purpose as local basketball booms in popularity.

“It will also provide a facility that allows Newcastle to finally have a team in the Women’s National Basketball League.

“Newcastle will have a venue capable of not only hosting a professional women’s team, but also state and national basketball tournaments, which will increase tourism and deliver positive economic benefits for local businesses.”

The Crown Land site is home to Wallarah and Blackley Ovals, is owned by the NSW Government and is managed by City of Newcastle.

Acting Executive Director Creative and Community Services Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle was preparing a precinct plan for the surrounding sportsgrounds including Arthur Edden Oval, Ford Oval, Kentish Oval and Harker Oval, to ensure ongoing and equitable access to and best utilisation of sporting facilities.

“City of Newcastle will work closely with the sporting groups and other stakeholders who currently use Wallarah and Blackley Ovals to see local training and club games continue with minimal disruption,” Ms Duffy said.

The catchment of Newcastle Basketball includes the state electorates of Lake Macquarie, Swansea, Newcastle, Charlestown, Wallsend and Port Stephens.

The new Stadium was originally proposed to be built on Hillsborough Road, Charlestown but was refused by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel in May last year on multiple grounds.

New initiative set to boost Newcastle’s global reputation as a preferred destination to study

More than 1,200 newly arrived international students and their families were officially welcomed to the city by the Lord Mayor today and equipped with resources, services and programs to orientate them with everything Newcastle has to offer.

The Lord Mayor announced a new International Student Ambassador initiative developed by the University of Newcastle (UoN) and supported by City of Newcastle (CN) to help cultivate a culture of belonging for all international students living and studying in Newcastle.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said international students enhanced Newcastle’s global reputation in education and were an asset to the city’s cultural fabric.

“City of Newcastle is partnering with University of Newcastle to help forge meaningful relationships with international students and set up the foundations for a life-long network of cultural exchange and collaboration,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We welcome international students’ skills, knowledge, diversity of experience and cultural expression that actively contributes to the economic opportunities and the richness of our city.

“Investing in people and enabling them to grow is one of the best ways that local government can drive the local economy, and we aim to double international student arrivals by 2030, as outlined in CN’s Economic Development Strategy.

“The Strategy is built on addressing skills gaps in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, TAFE, and secondary schools. Students are presented with opportunities to grow their skills and acquire the knowledge needed to participate in emerging economic opportunities that will come as the city and region transitions to renewable energy technology, biomedical innovation and aerospace manufacturing.”

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said international students were an important part of campus life.

“We’re delighted to be welcoming our international students to the city and our campuses. The pandemic made it difficult with online and remote learning. We missed all of our students, but we’re so pleased to have them back,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“This year, we have welcomed our University’s largest cohort of commencing international students ever. They have helped bring our campuses to life with activity and have contributed to the culture and diversity of our communities.

“We are working with City of Newcastle to ensure that international students experience the best our city can offer. Our new International Student Ambassador roles initiative is one of the ways we’re helping to ensure students get the opportunities to build meaningful connections and succeed in our region.”

At today’s event, students were given the opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent through a collaborative artwork piece titled ‘All cultures weave’, providing a vivid representation of the rich cultural tapestry they bring to the city. The collaborative weaving artwork activity speaks to all cultures and will be installed within University of Newcastle’s NUSpace building.

Expressions of interest for the new International Student Ambassador roles will open mid-2023 for members of the Newcastle community who have a deep understanding of the benefits and challenges facing international students.

Visit MoveToNewcastle webpage for free resources, services and will shortly include more information about the International Student Ambassador Program.