GOVERNMENT MUST RECKON WITH ISLAMOPHOBIA

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Anti-racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has urged the Government to reckon with the ugly reality of racism in this country, noting that 15 March is the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque shooting.

Senator Faruqi said:

‘Four years ago, racism killed 51 people in the Christchurch Mosque massacre.

“The Christchurch shooter was a product of Australia and far right extremism continues to threaten our safety and well being. 

“We must reckon with the R-word and acknowledge the scale of racism in this country which seeps into every day lives, policies, and practices.

“Report after report tells us that Muslims in Australia continue to experience horrific levels of racism and hate. 

“Disturbingly, Muslim women and children bear the brunt of Islamophobia.

“Racist and Islamophobic prejudice feeds into the cruel immigration system that detains, dehumanises and deports people seeking asylum.

“For too long politicians have fanned the flames of racism, stood quietly on the sidelines or gaslighted people like me who dare to call it out.

“As a start, let’s mandate anti-racism training for all politicians so they are forced to confront their privilege, bias and prejudice.

“Let’s  ditch the name ‘Harmony Day’ for 21st March and revert to the original purpose and name of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 

“The time to trivialise and whitewash racism is over.

“We need proper data collection on hate crimes and racial discrimination and we need to strengthen and enforce hate speech laws.”

First Lap vouchers boost water safety in Londonderry

Liberal candidate for Londonderry, Samantha Talakola, welcomed local families saving more than $154,000 on swimming lessons to boost water safety and relieve budgets, as part of the Perrottet Liberal Government’s First Lap voucher scheme.
 
Ms Talakola said the program was delivering huge results for Londonderry families.
 
“A total of 1,541 vouchers have been redeemed for swimming lessons meaning young children are more confident in the water and there is less of a strain on family expenses,” Mr Talakola said.
 
“A $100 voucher goes a long way when you are managing your budget and having this relief takes a bit of pressure off the family while improving a child’s swimming skills.
 
“Only Premier Dominic Perrottet and the NSW Liberals have a long-term plan to keeping NSW moving forward.”
 
A total of 75,075 vouchers have been redeemed to the value of more than $7,400,000.
 
For more information about First Lap vouchers visit the Service NSW website here.

$200,000 committed to supporting let’s go Greek Festival in Parramatta

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal Government will invest $200,000 over four years into the running of the Let’s Go Greek Festival in Parramatta.

“This is a wonderful initiative for the Greek community in Parramatta and across New South Wales,” Ms Mullens said.

“It is only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in people, enhancing local communities and celebrating diversity in Parramatta in beyond.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the commitment represents the NSW Liberal Government’s belief in supporting communities across the state to celebrate their culture with everyone.

“The Greek community certainly knows how to bring people from all walks of life together, and this festival is a perfect example of that,” Mr Coure said.

“We are proud to help the Greek community celebrate such a vibrant culture and share it with $50,000 a year for four years.”

Let’s Go Greek Festival organiser John Bris welcomed the announcement.

“This investment ensures we can continue to deliver a remarkable event that brings everyone together to celebrate all things Greek in the heart of Parramatta,” Mr Bris said. 

“Each year, this one-day festival attracts over 35,000 people, and we look forward to continuing to share the best that Greek culture and cuisine have to offer.”

NSW Liberals commit to support Filipino community host major events

A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will support the State’s Filipino community to host major events and festivals.

Liberal candidate for Riverstone, Mohit Kumar, said the Filipino community is an important part of Riverstone electorate.

“I am so pleased to see this investment of $400,000 to encourage and support the celebrations and festivities of the Filipino community.” Mr Kumar said.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens welcomed this announcement.

“It is only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in cultural festivities to enhance local communities in Parramatta and across the state.” Ms Mullens said.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said in the next term of government, the NSW Liberal Government will invest $400,000 over four years to support major Filipino events and festivals, including the Philippine Pasko Festival, Fiesta Kultura, and Filipino Fiesta.

“While each of these events is a celebration and chance for the Filipino community to be proud of their culture, it is also an opportunity for people from all walks of life to get involved,” Mr Coure said.

“Whether it be the Philippine Pasko Festival in Darling Harbour, Fiesta Kultura in Fairfield, or Filipino Fiesta in Randwick, all of these events can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Mr Coure said the organisers would share in $100,000 a year for four years to help host their events.

The Philippine Community Council of NSW, Philippine Australian Sports and Culture Inc and Filipino Australian Community Association of Eastern Sydney welcomed the investment and thanked the NSW Liberal Government for their ongoing support.

“The success of our Philippine Christmas Festival would not have been possible without the continued dedication and support of the NSW Government,” Alric Bulseco from the Philippine Community Council of NSW said.

Marivic Ayap-Flores from the Philippine Australian Sports and Culture Inc added that their organisation is pleased the NSW Liberals have chosen to support the Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura over many years. 

“We are glad that we can continue to share the unique Filipino culture with those right across New South Wales for many more years to come,” Ms Marivic Ayap-Flores said.

Precy Santos from the Australian Community Association of Eastern Sydney was also appreciative for the commitment to their organisation’s event.

“The critical support provided by the NSW Liberals will ensures the community can continue to celebrate the vibrant Filipino culture and heritage for everyone,” Ms Santos said.

NSW liberals commit to support Vietnamese cultural celebrations

Vietnamese communities across NSW will be supported to host cultural events and festivals by a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.

Member for East Hills, Wendy Lindsay, said the electorate is so diverse and the Vietnamese community is an integral part of it.

“It is only the Perrottet Liberal Government that continues to invest in local communities and contribute to cultural celebrations making East Hills and NSW a wonderful place to live.” Ms Lindsay said.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said in the next term of government, the NSW Liberals will invest $150,000 over four years to help Vietnamese communities celebrate their culture.

“We have an incredibly strong Vietnamese community here in NSW, which helps liven our streets with events and festivals,” Mr Coure said.

“These events are incredibly important in strengthening our multicultural society, helping break down barriers and fostering harmony.”

Mr Coure said $37,500 a year for four years would be made available to the Vietnamese community to host events, including the annual Tết or Lunar New Year festival.

“This will continue to build on the $150,000 we have invested into the Vietnamese community over the past four years,” Mr Coure said.

Women and youth drive NSW jobs market

New South Wales has maintained the lowest unemployment rate among the states for the sixth consecutive month, according to today’s ABS labour force data.

The figures show employment in NSW grew by 15,900 in February after losing 7,000 jobs in January, while the participation rate grew to 66.3 per cent.

The NSW unemployment rate is 3.2 per cent, the lowest of all the states.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the figures showed employment in NSW is now at 242,300 above pre-Covid levels.

“The figures also show a record number of women employed in the state and a record low youth unemployment rate,” Mr Kean said.

“This is what good economic management delivers. Only a Liberal and Nationals Government has a long term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”

Since federal Labor came to power there have been nine consecutive rate rises and inflation has risen to 7.4 per cent.

Consumer sentiment has fallen 19.2 per cent in NSW over the last year, and fallen 22.1 per cent in Australia. Meanwhile, retail sales have fallen 2.0 per cent since November, down 2.2 per cent nationally.

Mr Kean said NSW cannot risk a Labor Minns Government which would stall the economy and send the state backwards.

“Labor has already announced they will cancel major infrastructure projects like the two western Sydney metro lines and that means jobs will be lost,” Mr Kean said.

“Now is not the time to risk a Minns-Mookhey Labor government that has no experience and no plan for job creation; the only plan it has is to axe projects and axe jobs.”

$21.8 million commitment to make the revamped Hammondville Sports Park a reality

Hammondville Park in South Western Sydney will be transformed into a state-of-the-art sports precinct thanks to a $21.8 million commitment from the Perrottet Liberal Government.

Liberal candidate for Holsworthy, Tina Ayyad, welcomed the funding for the creation of a sporting super centre that will deliver exciting new sports infrastructure to be enjoyed by lovers of sport across the community.

“The reinvigorated Hammondville Park sporting precinct will encourage more people, of all ages, into local sporting clubs and cater for growing participation,” said Ms Ayyad.

“From upgraded fields to a brand new aquatic centre, the Perrottet Government’s investment will cater for Holsworthy sports clubs and player, and will attract lots of new participants and fans. This is where Australia future Olympians will be made – from our next Freddy Fittler to Australia’s first Football World Cup winners.

“The new sporting facilities is a perfect example of the positive impact on our communities that the Perrottet Government’s strong economic management and long term planning have delivered – ensuring that people from all walks of life have the opportunity to play sport, get healthy and have fun.

“This facility is already home to so many great local sporting clubs and organisations, and I can’t wait to watch it grow in the years to come.”

The Liberal Government’s commitment towards the $50 million Liverpool City Council project would upgrade existing sporting fields and create a new aquatic centre for the growing community.

The new aquatic centre will include a 25 metre indoor pool, a splash park and fitness facility. In addition, upgrades to the surrounding sporting precinct will feature new hybrid turf and synthetic fields, upgraded lighting, additional cricket nets, female-friendly changerooms and improved amenities for players and spectators.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSW Liberal Government’s funding commitment would help create a modern and diverse sporting precinct for both locals and visitors.

“The NSW Liberal Government has invested more than $2 billion in grassroots community sport infrastructure and programs since 2017, delivering an enormous boost to sporting clubs and organisations right across our state,” Mr Henskens said.

“In comparison, Labor invested only $22.6 million in sport during its last full year in government. Under Labor, our record investment in sport will stall and our community can’t afford that to happen.”

Kogarah public school set for major upgrade

Families in Kogarah are set to benefit from a major upgrade of Kogarah Public School under a re-elected NSW Liberal Government.

Liberal candidate for Kogarah, Craig Chung, said the upgrade will be a wonderful addition to the schools in the area and will deliver modern resources for students.

“This announcement is great news for the community and will be a game-changer for Kogarah Public School,” Mr Chung said.

“A re-elected Liberal Government will deliver this project because we have a long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the multi-million upgrade of the local school will deliver significant upgrades and improvements, creating more modern infrastructure for students and teachers.

“Because of the NSW Liberal Government’s long-term economic plan, we are investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We’re committed to delivering infrastructure upgrades to schools to ensure young people get the best possible start in life, and under a re-elected Liberal Government, the Kogarah community will benefit from a major upgrade.

“This upgrade will replace demountables with new, permanent classrooms, deliver upgrade core facilities such as the toilets, canteen, staff facilities and hall.

“Investments like this are only possible because of the Liberal long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said she was pleased to be able to make a commitment to young people and families in Kogarah with an upgrade to the local primary school.

“The Liberal and Nationals in government have a proven track record of delivering schools for growing communities,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Families know under Labor they risk going backwards, given Labor’s track record of closing 90 schools when they were last in government. It’s only the Liberal and Nationals Government that will keep NSW and our young people moving forward.”

The NSW Liberal Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

This commitment is another example of the NSW Liberal Government’s nation-leading work to give our kids the best start in life:

  • A $15.9 billion Early Years Commitment, including delivering universal pre-Kindergarten for every child in the year before school and rolling out a full suite of health and development checks to NSW preschools;
  • By building modern schools that prepare students for success investing $8.6 billion for hundreds of new and upgraded schoolsover the next four years;
  • A once-in-a-generation back-to-basics school curriculum that puts literacy and numeracy first for all students;
  • A $250 million tutoring program to support up to 120,000 students in 2023, bringing the total to $890 million invested in tutoring since 2021; and
  • Making sure we have the best teachers in our classrooms by supporting our students with a guaranteed 6% pay rise for teachers over the next two years, and a $100 million commitment to pay excellent teachers salaries of up to $152,000.

ONE WEEK TO GO until Hunter Memory Walk & Jog! 

Have you signed up for the Hunter Memory Walk & Jog? We are in this together, so if you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time to register.

Sign up online at www.memorywalk.com.au or at the event on the day.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM is encouraging as many local Hunter residents as possible to support the event, which will take place on Sunday 26 March at Speers Point Park, Speers Point.

“As we prepare to host the Memory Walk & Jog to Hunter for another successful year, we hope everyone will consider joining us,” Ms McCabe said.

The Hunter event is one of 20 scheduled at various locations around the country in 2023. Participants can register as an individual or an entire team, to remember a loved one with dementia, or in support of a loved one who is currently living with the condition. Each event offers a wonderful opportunity for people impacted by dementia and their supporters to come together, walk or run, at any fitness level, and raise money and share stories.  

Hunter local, Marina was living abroad when her mother, Geertje, was diagnosed with dementia. Sadly, Geertje passed away having lived with Alzheimer’s. Marina explains why she is taking part in Memory Walk & Jog on Sunday.

“Just knowing that you are surrounded by people who are going or have gone through the same thing you have is comforting. It’s like a kindred spirit feeling. I lived 25,000 km away from my parents. To me, it seemed that my mother disappeared overnight, since I never really experienced the gradual decline. One minute she was mum, the next minute she was a stranger.  What people really need to do is enjoy every moment you have, good or bad. Before you know it, it will all be gone. “

Why walk for dementia?

 There are more than 400,000 people of all ages living with some form of dementia in Australia. Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people living with dementia is expected to almost double in 30 years. Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and the leading cause of death for women.  

Walk or jog with us. We are in this together.

   * Sign-up to join in or volunteer at a Memory Walk & Jog event at www.memorywalk.com.au  

  • Decide to walk, jog or run and select from a variety of distances.    
  • Share your Memory Walk & Jog experience on your socials.   
  • Donate today to support people living with dementia across Australia. 

If you can’t attend an event, why not organise your own group or individual walk or jog, with a My Way event. Choose your own date and location and register at www.memorywalk.com.au 

Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for more than 400,000 people of all ages, living with dementia, and the almost 1.5 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.  For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au 

Ashgrove pharmacist found guilty for more than $1.9m in Medicare fraud

A pharmacist has been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 months by the Brisbane District Court today, 14 March 2023 after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming more than $1.9 million in payments under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This outcome is the culmination of a strong collaboration between the Department of Health and Aged Care, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Ashgrove pharmacist, Mr Shahin Ardalan was charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage under section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

This matter was also referred to the AFP led Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce (CACT), which restrained residential property, shares and cryptocurrency linked to Mr Ardalan.

On 12 July 2022, the District Court of Queensland ordered Mr Ardalan to pay $1.9 million to the Commonwealth pursuant to section 116(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth).

The charges relate to an investigation conducted by the Department of Health and Aged Care that found Mr Ardalan unlawfully claimed benefits under the PBS between 5 January 2017 and 1 May 2020. As a result, he received $1,942,515.44 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Mr Ardalan has repaid the money in full through the AFP’s Proceeds of Crime Action.

Today’s sentencing is a reminder of the real and serious punishments for those who defraud taxpayers via the Medicare system. The Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of Medicare non-compliance very seriously and all tip-offs are reviewed.

There is no place for fraud in the Medicare system. Where incorrectly or fraudulently claimed benefits are identified, the Department will seek to recover those funds and/or refer matters to the CDPP where criminal prosecution is considered appropriate.

Anyone with information about suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments by health providers can make a report via the “Reporting Fraud” page on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.gov.au/fraud-tip-offs or by calling the Provider Benefits Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808.