Minns Labor Government has ditched the former Coalition Government’s popular Electric Vehicle rebate that was helping make the transition to electric vehicles more affordable.
“This announcement is poor environmental policy and another example of NSW Labor just not getting it when it comes to cost of living pressures”, said Shadow Minister for Energy James Griffin.
Mr Griffin joined the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia in slamming the decision by the Minns Government to remove the EV rebate.
“Just like the Minns Labor Government’s decision to axe the stamp duty exemption hurt home ownership, this decision will make purchasing an EV difficult for people across NSW,” said Mr Griffin. “In fact, NSW Labor didn’t flag this cut during the election – they were saying one thing on the clean energy future before the election and got rid of this program after.”
The Electric Vehicle rebate helped families across New South Wales afford EVs and in turn saved them money on fuel costs and helped improve our air quality.
“This program was helping households to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, with new quarterly data released by the Federated Chamber of Automotive Industries showing that our state led the EV uptake in three out of four quarters of last year – a total of 10,798 EVs were sold in the state in 2022, leading the country in terms of absolute sales.”
“The Chris Minns’ decision to remove the rebate could seriously impact our position as the number one state and send NSW numbers into reverse gear while the rest of the world is heading in the other direction.”
“This policy is shortsighted and does nothing to help ease the cost of living pressures being felt around by households across NSW,” said Mr Griffin.
“I share concerns of the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia when it comes to this announcement. The CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council has called this a ‘betrayal’ and he is spot on. Premier Minns and Treasurer Mookhey have done a big U-turn when it comes to an EV future for NSW.”
Author: admin
Humanitarian assistance to Libya floods
The Australian Government will provide $1 million for urgent life-saving humanitarian assistance to affected communities, following the devastating floods in Libya. This will be delivered through the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
We extend our sympathies to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and to the Libyan people. Our thoughts are also with the Libyan community in Australia at this difficult time.
The flooding resulting from Storm Daniel has caused destruction of critical infrastructure, and much of the area that is impacted in the north east of the country remains difficult to access.
It has caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, buildings, electricity and water supply, telecommunications and farmland.
The $1 million humanitarian assistance announced today will be used to provide food, water, blankets and medical supplies to those who are most vulnerable.
In addition to today’s announcement, Australia is a longstanding donor to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, and the UN has announced US$10 million from the Fund to support the humanitarian response.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:
“The intensity of these floods has shocked the international community. This humanitarian assistance will provide life-saving assistance to those most in need.”
“We send our deep sympathy and condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives, the Libyan people, and the Libyan community in Australia.”
QMinister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said:
“We are working closely with our international partners to support Libya in the most effective way as the full impact of this disaster emerges.”
“Strong bonds with our international partners underpin our emergency response efforts and are vital to delivering this life-saving humanitarian assistance.”
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP said:
“Australia stands by the people of Libya as it addresses the enormity of the aftermath of this disaster.”
“The areas affected by the flooding are extremely remote and we are relying on our local partners to help us deliver support to those most in need.”
Appointments to the Commission for International Agricultural Research
Today I announce the appointment of Dr Michelle Freeman and Ms Lukina Lukin to the Commission for International Agricultural Research. They join five Commissioners who have been appointed for a second term, including the Chair, Ms Fiona Simson.
The Commission provides expert, strategic advice about how Australia can best contribute globally to agricultural research and development programs through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
Dr Michelle Freeman has more than a decade of experience serving in senior policy and management roles within Australia’s forestry industry. Dr Freeman is the President of Forestry Australia, which brings together more than 1,100 experts and scientists operating in forest and natural resource management throughout Australia.
Ms Lukina Lukin has extensive commercial experience in ethically and sustainably sourced seafood, which is particularly important at a time when reliance on the ocean for food and income security is increasing in many countries. Ms Lukin is the owner and Managing Director of Dinko Seafood, fishing business based in Port Lincoln, South Australia.
Ms Fiona Simson has also been appointed for second 3-year term on the Commission serving as the Chair.
Dr Beth Woods, Professor Lindsay Falvey and Mr Tony York have been appointed for a second term. Recently appointed ACIAR CEO Professor Wendy Umberger has also been appointed as a Commissioner.
I thank outgoing Commissioners Ms Su McCluskey and Dr Sasha Courville for their two terms of service and for their ongoing commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
$260 million to supercharge the shift to EVs in NSW
The Minns Government will invest $260 million in the 2023-24 NSW Budget to increase electric vehicle uptake in NSW and help us achieve our Net Zero emissions targets.
The funding will underpin the rollout of a new NSW EV Strategy which will be developed in partnership with industry stakeholders, to boost investment in critical EV infrastructure.
The Government will prioritise investment in infrastructure for drivers in regional NSW, renters and people who live in apartments, and people who don’t have access to home charging so they can still take advantage of the cost savings from owning an EV. It will fund projects such as fast chargers on commuter routes, more kerbside chargers near apartment blocks, and upgraded grid capacity and charging hubs to support fleets.
This will ensure NSW is ready for EV ownership on a massive scale.
As part of the Minns Government’s reform package, rebates for EV purchases and exemptions for stamp duties will cease on 1 January 2024. However, transitional arrangements will ensure those who have purchased or placed a deposit on an eligible EV, and are awaiting delivery of the vehicle, will still be eligible, regardless of whether the vehicle has been delivered by that date.
These incentives are being phased out because they risk driving up the cost of EVs, resulting in increased profits to manufacturers.
A Road User Charge will commence as planned from 1 July 2027 (or, if earlier, when battery EVs make up 30 per cent of new light vehicle registrations) and will apply to all zero and low emissions vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, registered for the first time or transferred from 1 January 2024.
Minister for Energy and Climate Change Penny Sharpe said:
“Increasing the number of electric vehicles on our roads is an essential step to NSW getting to Net Zero emissions.
“To facilitate EV uptake, the NSW Government will increase funding to essential infrastructure.
“Whether it is in apartment buildings, commuter car parks or kerbside, we are committed to making sure the infrastructure is in place to get electric vehicle drivers from A to B.”
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
“It’s important the scarce taxpayer dollars we have to transition to electric vehicles are being well spent.
“The benefits of government spending shouldn’t be concentrated in the hands of the few, we must ensure it’s spread across the whole state.
“Savings gained from cutting these costly exemptions and rebates will be reinvested, where it is needed, to deliver a more equitable and efficient EV roll out.”
Putting integrity at the heart of the NSW Government
The funding of integrity agencies is being put at arm’s length and agencies will receive an additional $228.6 million in new expenditure over 10 years to help them continue to deliver their valuable work.
New arrangements announced today by the NSW Government will safeguard the independence of the state’s five key integrity agencies and ensure they remain adequately resourced to maintain their key role in upholding our democracy.
Building on recommendations of a 2020 Public Accountability Committee Report and a 2022 report published by the Auditor-General, the NSW Government will implement a transparent budget management model for the following agencies:
- Audit Office of New South Wales
- the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
- the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission
- the New South Wales Electoral Commission
- the New South Wales Ombudsman’s Office.
Under the new model, the agencies have been permanently removed from the Department of Premier and the Cabinet Office financial management processes and excluded from efficiency dividends.
Other permanent measures to ensure agency independence include:
- a specialist integrity agency unit within NSW Treasury to manage representations of agency funding needs and provide agencies with information on their funding outcomes.
- the ability for agencies to review Treasury’s advice to Cabinet on funding bids and provide their own advice directly to Cabinet.
- transparent reporting of Cabinet budget decisions impacting agencies to the relevant supervising committee of the Parliament.
The upcoming 2023-24 Budget will include extra funding:
- $75.6m in additional net expenditure for the NSW Electoral Commission for the 2024 Local Government Elections over 2023-24 and 2024-25.
- $49.4m in new expenditure and $9.8m in new capital expenditure over 10 years for the ICAC to address both immediate and long-term operation and service delivery needs.
- $30.5 million in expenditure over 10 years for the Ombudsman to carry out additional duties prescribed in legislation and meet additional service requirements.
- $21.1 million in expenditure over 10 years for the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission to meet its growing remit and oversight activities.
NSW Special Minister of State John Graham said:
“$228.6 million in new expenditure to the State’s key integrity agencies will alleviate previous resourcing pressures and allow them to continue their work investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption and maladministration.
“This new model, along with new funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting our integrity agencies.”
Time to make GST ‘no worse off’ guarantee permanent
The NSW Government’s first Budget includes planning for the GST ‘no worse off’ guarantee to be made permanent, to ensure every state and territory receives their fair share of revenue.
The guarantee was established after the GST floor was introduced in 2018 to make sure that all states and territories were no worse off and received a guaranteed minimum 70 per cent share of GST revenue.
The ‘no worse off’ guarantee requires the Australian Government to compensate states for shortfalls in their GST revenue share between the old and new distribution arrangements until 2026-27.
NSW is expected to receive around $3.8 billion in ‘no worse off’ payments over the next two financial years (2023-24 and 2024-25).
The end of the GST ‘no worse off’ guarantee would be disastrous for New South Wales. It is the money required to employ more than 8,000 nurses or teachers. The end of the guarantee would risk essential services and require the reintroduction of inefficient taxes.
Given the impact this would have on New South Wales, and the Australian Government’s commitment to essential services, it would not make sense for the no worse off guarantee to end.
Future NSW Budget planning will be made on the assumption of the continuation of the GST ‘no-worse off guarantee’.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
“My focus is on making sure New South Wales gets its fair share of GST revenue. The ‘no worse off’ guarantee helps deliver critical services and infrastructure.
“All states and territories are in agreement that the guarantee should continue.”
NSW Essential Housing Package to start the rebuild of broken housing system
The 2023-24 Budget begins the long-term work of rebuilding our social and affordable housing system, through a $224 million Essential Housing Package.
Over the next 12 months, the initial investment will begin to address the historic neglect of new social housing supply and trial innovative solutions to get people off the social housing waitlist.
The face of homelessness continues to change as we work through tackling the state’s housing crisis. We have seen an increase of young people, seniors over the age of 55 and those with no previous history of homelessness unable to get access to housing.
The Essential Housing Package will help strengthen the safety net for those experiencing housing insecurity and provide wrap around support and services for some of our most vulnerable.
The package includes crucial funding to extend access to temporary accommodation to create a better place for people in crisis, along with funding to specialist homelessness services that provide certainty and stability for the people who need it most.
After more than a decade of inaction and neglect from the former government we are committed to rebuilding our housing system. As a start, we’re delivering more homes across our state and improving specialist homelessness services.
New $224 million Essential Housing Package to support social housing and homelessness services will include:
- $70.0 million financing facility to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes, primarily in regional New South Wales, by funding initial land and site works.
- $35.3 million for housing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families through Services Our Way.
- $35.0 million to support critical maintenance for social housing.
- $20.0 million reserved in Restart NSW for dedicated mental health housing.
- $15 million towards a NSW Housing Fund for priority housing and homelessness measures.
- $11.3 million urgent funding to continue the Together Home program in 2023-24.
- $11 million emergency funding for Temporary Accommodation in 2023-24 to support vulnerable people.
- $10.5 million additional funding to the Community Housing Leasing program.
- $10.0 million for a Modular Housing Trial to deliver faster quality social housing.
- $5.9 million urgent funding to Specialist Homelessness Services to respond to increasing demand.
NSW Premier, Chris Minns said:
“Everyone deserves access to safe and secure shelter. This package will be a boost to social and affordable housing and will help break cycles of homelessness.
“This is an important first step as we better support people in some of the most vulnerable situations.
“We have a housing crisis in New South Wales, and we are working across the government to address the challenges.”
NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson said:
“Today is another step in the right direction as we rebuild our housing system.
“We know there is more work to do but our focus is on directing more money to build social and affordable homes and ensuring everyone in NSW has a safe place to call home.”
Return to spender: Motorists to get $561 million cash back under toll cap
Almost three-quarters of a million motorists will qualify for toll relief under the Minns Labor Government’s $60 toll cap, confirmed to begin on January 1.
Focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis for families, NSW Budget 2023-24 allocates $561 million over two years to the toll cap.
An election promise delivered, the toll cap will benefit an estimated 720,000 toll account owners, with motorists able to claim back spend above $60 a week via a quarterly refund from Service NSW.
A motorist in Silverwater will receive an average $475 back in 2024, while in Glendenning toll account owners will be able to claim an average of $540 cash back, $440 in Blacktown, $504 in Rosehill, $446 in Quakers Hill, $286 in Holsworthy and $199 in Gosford, according to Transport for NSW forecasts.
Kellyville and its surrounding suburbs are where most drivers by number will benefit, with 13,240 toll accounts to claim an average $399 a year each – or almost $5.3 million across the postcode in 2024.
The toll cap is expected to be accessed by 14 times as many motorists as was anticipated when announced by Labor prior to the election. At that time, an estimated 51,000 motorists were forecast to benefit under a $151 million plan.
The toll cap design will deliver most relief to suburbs in Sydney’s west that have been hit hardest by the former government’s policies that made Sydney the most tolled city in the world.
The NSW Government will also proceed with toll rebates for heavy vehicles using the M5 East and M8 tunnels, with implementation on track for January 1.
Trucks will receive a rebate for a third of their trip travelled on the M5 East and M8, costing $54 million over the two-year trial.
The NSW Government is currently undertaking an independent review of toll roads, led by Professor Allan Fels AO and Dr David Cousins AM who will report back with recommendations to make the system safer, fairer and more efficient.
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
“More motorists are going to access the $60 toll cap scheme than originally anticipated and I am very pleased to say more than 700,000 motorway users are now going to benefit.
“Motorists, particularly in western Sydney where access to public transport alternatives have been more limited than in other parts of the city, have been crying out for relief from the ever-rising burden of tolls on the family budget.
“We know people are doing it tough and ‘toll mania’ is one of the most unpopular legacies of the former government.
“The Minns Labor Government’s $60 toll cap is part of ending an era in which government placed more emphasis on growing toll revenue than on helping people get around Sydney without breaking the bank.”
PARLIAMENTARY WORKPLACE SUPPORT SERVICES BILLS PASS THE SENATE
The Greens welcome the passage of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Services bills in the Senate today.
These bills are an important step in the right direction, but we need to see further reforms to parliamentary culture, including an enforceable Code of Conduct for politicians and senior staff, rolled out nationally as a matter of urgency.
Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:
“We wouldn’t be debating these bills or any of the preceding workplace reforms to address sexual harassment in the last few years were it not for the bravery of young female parliamentary staff; Brittany Higgins, Dhanya Mani, Chelsey Potter, Rachelle Miller, Tessa Sullivan, Josie Coles, women who have survived sexual harassment or abuse at work, survivors like Saxon Mullins, and those who fight to keep students safe on campus Sharna Bremner and Nina Funnell, so many other women and some men whose strength and resilience is driving this change.
“The Set the Standard report found that one-in-three parliamentary staffers in this building had experienced some form of sexual harassment, as had many female parliamentarians.
This is unacceptable. Everyone has a right to a safe workplace. Whether that is in parliament house or anywhere else.
“One of the hurdles identified in Set the Standards was that staff are reluctant to come forward if there is no real prospect that an MP will be sanctioned. Consequences are crucial.
“Passing these bills today is a step in the right direction, but it is a tiny step. Cultural diversity is still lacking in our workplace. Parliament is still not a safe, equal, inclusive and respectful workplace for everyone.
“The Greens will continue to push for the reforms to parliamentary culture, including an enforceable Code of Conduct for politicians and senior staff, to be rolled out nationally as a matter of urgency.
“Both Houses of parliament have now endorsed Codes of Conduct for behaviour, but there is still no independent body to investigate breaches and enforce the Codes. Work to set up that body that will enforce those Codes, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission, is complex, but there is no doubt it’s been too slow.
“The Greens are disappointed that the original timeframe to establish the IPSC has blown out from October 2023 to February 2024, and we will continue to insist that no further delays occur.
“While that work to establish the IPSC is being done, it is a responsibility of every MP to act consistently with the commitments they made when endorsing the Codes, and for all parties to act quickly in response to complaints.”
UNANIMOUS SENATE REPORT CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT TASKFORCE TO HOLD UNIVERSITIES TO ACCOUNT ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The Senate inquiry into sexual consent laws has today tabled a unanimous report that recommends an independent taskforce to hold universities to account on sexual violence, as well as an urgent review into the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s response to sexual violence on university campuses.
Among the other recommendations are the inclusion of an affirmative consent standard in any proposal to harmonise Australia’s sexual consent laws, adequate funding and training for Respectful Relationships Education and more sensitive and trauma-informed approaches to sexual violence in the criminal justice system.
Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:
“Today’s consensus recommendation for an independent taskforce to hold universities to account on sexual violence is thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates like End Rape on Campus, Fair Agenda and The STOP Campaign, and the many witnesses who shared their experiences with the committee.
“It is abundantly clear that Universities Australia and TEQSA have not been up to the task of responding to sexual assault on university campuses or residential halls.
“Students need to know their safety is being taken seriously. Parents need to know their kids are safe in residential halls. Universities need to be forced to take action.
“We know that an alarming number of people still disbelieve or victim-blame survivors of assault. Sexual consent education in schools can help dismantle this persistent rape culture and ensure everyone understands that only informed and enthusiastic consent means yes.
“Everyone has the right to age-appropriate, evidence-based sexual and consent education. And we are so pleased to see the recommendation for ongoing funding to provide Respectful Relationships Education and investment in the Initial Teacher Education Curriculum.
“Nationally, almost nine in 10 incidents of sexual assault are not reported to the police. We need to start addressing the factors that discourage people from reporting, including attitudes towards survivors, unclear laws, and re-traumatising experiences within the justice system.
“Including an affirmative consent standard in any proposal to harmonise Australia’s sexual consent laws puts the onus on alleged perpetrators, and is a step towards changing the way that rape allegations are treated by police and lawyers.
“So far we’ve seen commitments from some state governments to strengthen the legal definitions of consent, and to make stealthing an offence. These are good steps forward, but we need to harmonise the laws to ensure cultural change nationwide.
“This inquiry and the recommendations in the report tabled today would not exist without the work of courageous advocates like Saxon Mullins, Nina Funnell, Grace Tame, Chanel Contos, Sharna Bremner, Camille Schloeffel and many more, who have consistently pushed for laws and consent education to be informed by the lived experience of sexual assault victim-survivors.”
Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:
“Universities have ignored sexual violence on campus for too long and must be compelled to take meaningful action to not only address violence and support victim-survivors, but to also actively prevent sexual violence on campus.
“Universities must actively build and promote a culture that does not tolerate sexual assault, violence or harassment of any form.
“The independent taskforce must be established with urgency, and have powers to monitor and evaluate universities, and also impose consequences for universities who are failing to protect students.
“An urgent review into TEQSA’s response to sexual violence on campus is long overdue.
“Thank you to the incredible activists whose unwavering commitment has made these recommendations possible. Now, we need urgent action from the Government.
“Every student has the right to study in a safe, respectful environment, without fear of being sexually assaulted or harassed. We need to see these recommendations enacted as quickly as possible.”