admin – Page 763

Australia’s Disaster Response Team returns from Türkiye

As we welcome home Australia’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) from Türkiye, we acknowledge their extraordinary efforts in responding to the devastating earthquakes.

The DART demonstrated the commitment and professionalism that our international partners have come to expect from Australia.

Leading search and rescue efforts in difficult and dangerous conditions, the team used high-tech equipment to search through the rubble of unstable and collapsed apartment blocks.

The team of 72 personnel comprised representatives from Fire and Rescue NSW, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, ACT Fire and Rescue, New South Wales Departments of Health and Public Works, NSW Ambulance, NSW Police, representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Australian Defence Force also made a valuable contribution by transporting personnel and equipment to and from Türkiye.

Deployment of the DART was part of Australia’s $18 million humanitarian assistance package.

Australia’s ongoing assistance will continue to help our partners in Türkiye and Syria provide lifesaving assistance, including deliver food, tents, blankets, clean water and sanitation and other services.

In Türkiye, Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, as well as NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership, are delivering this support with a focus on protecting those made most vulnerable by the earthquakes, in particular the protection of women and girls.

In Syria, assistance is being provided to the United Nations Population Fund to deliver maternal and child health services and protect women and girls without safe housing, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Ongoing recovery and reconstruction in Türkiye and Syria will be significant. The Australian Government will continue to assess where it can best assist in addressing additional needs.

Local communities have experienced widespread loss, tragedy and hardship. We extend our condolences to all those who continue to be affected in Türkiye and Syria.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“From New Zealand to Türkiye, Australians have again stepped up to help our international partners in times of need.
“I am proud of the tireless efforts of DART team members who have supported responses to these natural disasters. As a result of their work in Türkiye, many families can now lay their loved ones to rest.”

Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said:

“Through practical assistance and significant technical capability, their deployment provided comfort and support to affected communities and local authorities in Türkiye.
“Our team has experienced relentless devastation and tragedy in the disaster zone. Their work is incredibly important.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said:

“I welcome Australia’s Disaster Assistance Response Team home – their dedication, expertise and professionalism were on full display.
“Under the most difficult of circumstances they have worked tirelessly with local Turkish authorities on search and rescue efforts, delivering supplies and supporting an international effort to save lives.”

Area the size of almost 29700 Sydney Cricket Grounds conserved forever

In more great news for the environment, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has protected another 55,220 hectares of land in perpetuity.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said this is the largest parcel of land ever protected through a funded conservation agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT).

“Gayini Nimmie Caira in the State’s south west is one of the most ecologically significant parts of Australia, and at 55,220 hectares, this new conservation area is massive – equivalent to about 29,700 Sydney Cricket Grounds,” Mr Griffin said.

“Through the NSW BCT, we’ve entered into a funded conservation agreement with the owners of the property, the Nari Nari Tribal Council, to help them protect the important biodiversity and cultural values of this part of their property forever.

“Gayini Nimmie Caira hosts internationally significant wetlands and a vast array of threatened and endangered species like the Plains Wanderer, Southern Bell Frog and various water bird species that travel here from far and wide to mate.

“This is fantastic news for the environment becuse it’s the largest ever area being protected through this kind of conservation agreement, and brings the total amount of private land being protected through the NSW BCT to more than 2.3 million hectares across the State.

“About 70 per cent of Australia’s land is privately owned or managed, which is why conservation agreements like these are so important.”

The total size of the Gayini Nimmie Caira property is 88,000 hectares, between Hay and Balranald in the Murrumbidgee Valley, adjacent to Yanga National Park.

Nari Nari Tribal Council chairperson Jamie Woods said Gayini Nimmie Caira is a rich cultural landscape, supporting Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years.

“Nari Nari Tribal Council is proud to be leading the way in cultural land management, with the announcement of this groundbreaking agreement,” Mr Woods said.

“We have invested considerable time, knowledge and effort to create a unique agreement with the NSW BCT, putting the protection of culture and country at the centre of the work we do.

“There are footprints across Gayini Nimmie Caira where Aboriginal people used targeted interventions to promote the productivity of the land, supporting fish, bird and vegetation growth.”

Minister Griffin launched the BCT’s co-investment partnership plans program in 2022, with the aim of further accelerating private land conservation efforts.

This agreement with Nari Nari Tribal Council is the first co-investment partnership under those plans, complemented financially by The Nature Conservancy.

BCT Chairperson Niall Blair said this investment protects Gayini Nimmie Caira for conservation and cultural outcomes now and into the future.

“The NSW BCT is proud to play such a critical role in protecting the State’s biodiversity through annual payments, in perpetuity, to Nari Nari Tribal Council,” Mr Blair said.

Since establishing the NSW BCT in 2017, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has committed $70 million a year, or $350 million over five years, for private land conservation across the State.

This is a record investment in conservation efforts for NSW and has so far helped to protect at least 122 threatened species and 22 threatened ecological communities.

Find out more: www.bct.nsw.gov.au/

NSW Government to secure future of the Roxy Theatre

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has committed to preserving the historic and heritage-listed Roxy Theatre for the people of NSW, announcing funding through the $5 billion WestInvest fund to secure the site as an arts and cultural space.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the WestInvest funding was a clear sign of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment to Western Sydney with large scale projects that will improve liveability by creating more public spaces, cultural, sporting and entertainment opportunities.

“People across NSW deserve greater access to our cultural history and the Roxy is a site that should be retained and preserved so future generations can enjoy it,” Mr Perrottet said

“Through the $5 billion Westinvest fund, we are investing in infrastructure that will create jobs and provide more opportunities for people in Western Sydney to enjoy cultural experiences.”

The funding commitment includes the development of a final business case that will present government with options to secure the future of the Roxy for the people of NSW.

Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said securing the Roxy as an arts and cultural space means the Western Sydney community would have access to an important piece of the state’s history.

“Paramatta is one of our fastest growing regions, and alongside the Powerhouse and the renewed Riverside Theatre, the Roxy has the potential to form part of a new cultural hub providing greater opportunities for the community to access world-class arts offerings,” Mr Franklin said.

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the Government is responding to the community’s concerns for the Roxy site.

“We have listened to the community, and the feedback that demands that we afford this heritage site protection from overdevelopment. What the community and the Government want are more public amenities that will benefit the community, that will attract visitors, and that will be enjoyed by people for generations to come,” Dr Lee said.

Through the $5 billion WestInvest fund, the NSW Government has committed over $345 million in funding for arts and culture in Western Sydney, including funding for the future of the Roxy Theatre, an extension to the Campbelltown Arts Centre, a new Blacktown Arts and Cultural Centre and a new Burwood Urban Park and Arts and Cultural Centre.

The NSW Government will now begin to investigate potential pathways to secure the future of the Roxy Theatre with the current owner, subject to proper due diligence and any final decision being conditional on Final Business Case approval.

A better deal for embedded network customers

People living in apartment blocks, retirement villages and caravan parks are among the 150,000 energy customers set to benefit from tough new rules to lower energy bills and increase consumer protections for people living in embedded networks.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government today announced its Embedded Network Action Plan to cut energy bills, which includes:

Introducing a maximum, IPART determined price for gas and for hot and chilled water supplied through embedded networks.
Initiating an IPART review into electricity prices in embedded networks, to recommend whether the maximum price within embedded networks should be set below the Commonwealth’s default market offer.
Initiating an IPART review on whether the NSW Government should ban the establishment of new hot and chilled water embedded networks.

The NSW Government will also write to the Australian Energy Regulator requesting that it only approve new electricity and gas embedded networks that are in the interests of consumers, and offering to initiate changes to the National Electricity and Gas Rules if necessary in order to achieve that outcome.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said that embedded networks have failed to deliver for many energy consumers, adding complexity and holding back customers from getting the best deals the market has to offer.

“Whether you’re living in a free-standing home, or in an apartment block, caravan park or retirement village, every family should be able to access essential services at a fair price,” Mr Kean said.

“These reforms will help ensure that embedded network customers are no longer disadvantaged simply because of where they choose to live.”

Embedded networks are private energy networks which on-sell energy from retailers to households and small businesses in multiple premises like apartment blocks, retirement villages, caravan parks and shopping centres.

The Energy and Water Ombudsman estimated 95,400 households lived in residences within electricity embedded networks and there are a further 64,000 hot water embedded network customers.

The number of embedded networks in Australia has increased recently due to a new business model where developers outsource the ownership of the energy infrastructure beyond the connection point with the electricity or gas distributor.

This can lower building costs for developers and in return the third party can become the monopoly provider of energy to the building.

These reforms build on recent work by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to:

Put downward pressure on bills through delivery of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap
Provide a range of energy rebates including rebates for low income households, family tax benefit recipients and seniors, along with energy account payment assistance
Commit to $250 rebates under the NSW Energy Bill Saver program for households who compare their current energy deal

GREENS TO INTRODUCE BILL TO REMOVE 20% CAP ON FEDERAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS FUNDING

The Greens will introduce a Bill to remove the arbitrary 20% cap on Commonwealth funding for public schools’ Schooling Resource Standard.

Speaking at the Australian Education Union’s National Conference, Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools Senator Penny Allman-Payne said today that she would introduce the legislation to end the buck passing between state and federal governments.

The announcement comes after the Government extended the current National School Reform Agreement locking in underfunding for public school students for another twelve months.

Greens Schools spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Australia now has one of the most privatised school systems in the developed world.

“This is a critical juncture where the governments of Australia will, in effect, decide whether they are committed to public education or not. It is no exaggeration to say that public education faces an existential threat if we do not turn this around.

“Whether the federal government wants to admit it or not – and judging from Jason Clare’s recent comments, it’s the latter – this will cost money. You cannot rebuild public education in this country without investing serious sums in public schools.

“The money is there waiting to be used. There’s a quarter of a trillion dollars being wasted on the Stage 3 Tax Cuts for the rich that could be spent on public schools.

“Inequity in our education system will not be fixed by tinkering at the edges of the next National School Reform Agreement. We need to see a wholesale shift away from funding private schools, and reinvestment in our public education system.”

Background:

The Australian Education Act 2013 was amended under the Coalition Government to state that the Commonwealth would contribute 20% towards meeting public schools’ Schooling Resource Standard, with states and territories making up the rest. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth meets 80% of private school SRS funding, and states 20%.

The NSRA sets out the school funding arrangements between the Commonwealth and the states and territories. The current NSRA, which was due to expire at the end of 2023, locks in underfunding for government schools. Under the current agreement public schools will have to wait until at least 2027 just to receive 95% of their Schooling Resource Standard (although the capital depreciation loophole will actually see that number closer to 91%), which is the bare minimum level of funding students require to achieve minimum achievement benchmarks.

Nomination of Judge Hilary Charlesworth for re-election to the International Court of Justice

The Australian Government welcomes the nomination of Her Excellency Judge Hilary Charlesworth for re-election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice.

Judge Charlesworth has been nominated by the independent Australian National Group, a body of eminent Australian jurists who serve as members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Judge Charlesworth is an eminent scholar and jurist who has served on the court since 2021 and made an exceptional contribution to international law. She is an outstanding candidate for re-election.

Judge Charlesworth is the first Australian woman elected to the Court and only the fifth female permanent judge in the Court’s 78-year history.

She is currently a Member of the Curatorium of the Hague Academy of International Law.

Previously, she has been the Harrison Moore Chair in Law and Laureate Professor at Melbourne Law School and a Distinguished Professor at the Australian National University.

She has been President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, as well as a member of the Executive Council of the Asian Society of International Law and the American Society of International Law.

She is a graduate of the University of Melbourne and has a Doctor of Juridical Science from Harvard Law School.

The International Court of Justice election will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York in late 2023.

New home for women’s sport in NSW

Sydney will cement itself as the home of women’s AFL and Rugby League with the Showring Oval at Moore Park one step closer to a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, thanks to a $15 million grant from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said women’s sport is booming across NSW and the multi-sport project, in partnership with AFL NSW/ACT and the Sydney Roosters would provide grassroots players access to a world-class training hub.

“This facility will be a fantastic community asset, bridging the gap between elite and grassroots sports, which will help grow participation and provide local talent pathways for our future AFLW and NRLW stars year round,” Mr Henskens said.

“Since 2017, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested more than $2 billion grassroots community sport, through infrastructure grant programs and our nation-leading Active Kids voucher program.”

The project will deliver a community oval and multi-purpose green spaces, universally inclusive change rooms and amenities, and a high-performance training and administration centre.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson, said this is a truly exciting moment for Australian football across community, talent pathways and the elite game in Sydney and across NSW.

“A revitalised Showring Oval in Moore Park will help accommodate the increasing number of women and girls striving to be their best on the football field as well as provide a world-class facility for multiple sporting groups and the broader community to share,” Ms Robertson said.

“Thank you to our project partners and the NSW Government for acknowledging and supporting the value of a reimagined Showring Oval.”

Roosters CEO, Joe Kelly, said the first Women’s rugby league match was played in Australia in 1921 on what was previously known as the showgrounds of the Royal Agricultural Society.

“More than a hundred years later, it is a wonderful reflection of the pace at which women’s participation in sports like rugby league and AFL is growing, that the NSW Government has committed to re-developing Showring Oval with both the Sydney Roosters and AFL,” Mr Kelly said.

Projects funded through the Centre of Excellence Fund must include multi-purpose facilities, enabling organisations to expand community programs and engage with the community.

AUSTRALIA STANDS WITH UKRAINE WITH ADDITIONAL MILITARY SUPPORT AND SANCTIONS

Today marks one year since Russia launched its illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We mourn the incalculable losses that Ukraine has endured.

We honour the unwavering resolve and strength of the Ukrainian people as they stand up to Russia’s continued aggression.

We are proud to stand with Ukraine as it defends its people, its territory, and its sovereignty.

Today, on this most sombre occasion, the Australian Government is announcing additional military assistance to Ukraine and further costs on Russia, including additional sanctions.

The Australian Government will provide additional Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) to Ukraine. These systems provide a battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they continue to fight.

Additionally, today in the United Kingdom the first rotation of around 200 Ukrainian recruits will graduate from military training supported by Australian Defence Force personnel as part of Operation Kudu, Australia’s contribution to a UK-led multi-national training program.

The Australian Government has imposed further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 90 persons, and targeted financial sanctions on 40 entities. The new sanctions targets include Russian ministers with responsibilities spanning energy, natural resources, industry, education, labour, migration and health.

We are imposing sanctions on persons and entities engaging in activities of economic and strategic significance to Russia or that threaten the territorial integrity or sovereignty of Ukraine. This includes new listings of those perpetuating the Kremlin’s mistruths to shore up support for President Putin and key players in Russia’s defence industry:

Kalashnikov Concern, one of Russia’s largest arms manufacturers
Submarine developer Admiralty Shipyards
Aviation company Tupolev
Missile designer Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau,
Infantry fighting vehicle producer Kurganmashzavod.

Australia has now imposed more than 1,000 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Overnight, Australia also joined 140 other member states to support a resolution calling for a just peace in Ukraine at an Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

We again call on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory and end this war.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“This is a most sombre occasion for the people of Ukraine. One year on from Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and unlawful full-scale invasion, the costs of Russia’s aggression are incalculable.”

“In the face of Russia’s aggression, the Ukrainian people—led so resolutely by President Zelenskyy—have displayed extraordinary strength and courage. We continue to stand with Ukraine.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said:

“In response to requests, Australia is providing more Uncrewed Aerial Systems to the Ukrainian Government; this support will provide a battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they continue to fight against the unwarranted aggression of Russia.”

“This announcement coincides with the first graduation of Australian-trained Ukrainian soldiers as part of a UK-led multinational training effort to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They leave with skills and knowledge that will save lives when they take up the fight against Russia.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said:

“Australia is imposing additional sanctions, targeting those in the Russian Government who are helping prolong this war, those financing this war, and those spreading mistruths to justify this war.

“Australia’s sanctions regime against Russia is our largest. This reflects our support for the people of Ukraine and for the fundamental norms of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

SECURING THE FUTURE IN THE ILLAWARRA

The Albanese Government is delivering on a commitment to build the skills and capabilities to take advantage of Australia’s transition to a clean energy future with a $10 million investment at the University of Wollongong.

The funds will establish an Energy Futures Skills Centre located at the university, with a second investment of $2.5 million to upgrade equipment and teaching aids, creating a Renewable Energy Training facility at the Wollongong TAFE.

The two facilities will work together to help build the energy workforce of the future, using state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and upgraded equipment to provide real world examples of clean energy technology for teaching and research.

This investment will deliver teaching programs to re-train and upskill workers for a career in clean energy and clean manufacturing.

This investment will add to other initiatives to build a clean energy future, including installing community batteries, mandating local content in new infrastructure to modernise the electricity grid, and developments through the National Reconstruction Fund.

Making the change to renewable energy will bring new economic opportunities, while helping reduce power bills, and ensuring a better future for the people of the Illawarra and the nation.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said:

“Renewable energy not only means more affordable and reliable energy over the long term, it means greater economic opportunity in the regions that have always powered Australia.

“That’s why we are skilling the workforce needed to power Australia’s future with renewable energy.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said:

“Creating jobs in the regions where people live will mean a better future for those who want to stay where they grew up, near their families and communities while they build their lives.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Illawarra’s future jobs, industries and technology.”

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said:

“After a decade of neglect, putting the skills and research that will drive renewable investment in the regions that can take advantage of the opportunity will grow jobs and local business

“This investment sets up Wollongong to develop the skills to be a leader in the energy transformation of the coming years and decades.”

WET WEATHER WORRIES DRAINED AWAY BY PEAKHURST PARK UPGRADE

A major upgrade to Peakhurst Park in southern Sydney has been officially opened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The valuable community sport and recreation facility received a $473,662 upgrade thanks to funding from the Australian Government and Georges River Council.

The project delivered new turf, a full sub-surface drainage system and a 120,000-litre water storage tank supplying an irrigation system for the entire field.

The upgrade will help reduce ground closures due to wet weather, and improve the quality and safety of the playing surface for up to 80,000 players using the park each year.

The works supported around 30 construction jobs, with Georges River Council expecting a further eight potential ongoing jobs as a result of the project.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said:

“This is a great example of how investment in local sporting infrastructure can benefit entire communities, for improving health and providing places for people to connect with each other.

“These upgrade works have created a quality, local environment that will encourage increased use of this important sporting site for Peakhurst and the St George area.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“The Australian Government is committed to investing in economic prosperity by providing access to funding for capital works for community and economic infrastructure.

“I look forward to continuing to partner with councils and local communities to create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth and productivity.”