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GONSKI’S A GONER

The Greens say new data from the Productivity Commission shows that Australian governments have abandoned the Gonski reforms, with funding growth to the private sector outstripping increases to public schools by 10% over the past decade.

The latest Report on Government Services shows that total per student funding from federal, state and territory governments to the public school sector rose from $17,920 in 2012 to $20,964 in 2021, an increase of 17%. During that same span governments increased total funding to private schools by 27%, from $9,686 per student to $12,309.

Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“This report proves what a disastrous decision it was for Labor to postpone the next National School Reform Agreement by a year.

“There is currently no pathway to full public funding for the vast majority of public schools in Australia. The decades-long failure by both old parties to invest properly in our public schools is seeing educational outcomes continue to fall for our poorest and most remote students.

“Eleven years ago David Gonski said that there was growing inequality in the school system, identified funding inequality as the root cause, and provided a model to fix that.

“But instead of embracing the Gonski recommendations, successive governments have shied away from directing funding away from the private sector towards the schools that desperately need it. It’s gutless and morally indefensible.

“Our public schools need more money, and they need it now. We don’t need more working groups or more reports to tell us what every public school teacher, parent and carer already knows.

 “The Greens will continue to fight to ensure that all public schools receive at least 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard at the start of the next NSRA.”

GREENS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE ALL DOCUMENTS ON AUSTRALIA’S ILLEGAL INVASION OF IRAQ

Today, Senator Jordon Steele-John will move a motion in the Senate ordering the production of all documents related to Australia’s decision to join the US-led coalition which invaded Iraq twenty years ago. 

This order for the production of documents includes the following:

  • The advice provided by the Department of Defence to the Prime Minister and Governor General concerning the decision to deploy the ADF to Iraq.
  • The advice provided by the Attorney General to the Governor General and the Federal Executive Council in relation to the decision to deploy the ADF into Iraq 
  • Correspondence between the Department of Defence and the United States Embassy about the Iraq invasion in March 2003

These documents will provide valuable insight into the Howard Government’s decision making which led Australia to join the US-led invasion of Iraq, a war that claimed over 600,000 lives and left millions displaced from their homes, according to some estimates. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Peace and Foreign Affairs said: 

“Twenty years on from the catastrophic invasion of Iraq and the circumstances that led us there are still vague and shrouded in secrecy.”

“Australians deserve to know who was making the decisions, what the basis for war was and whether any semblance of a legal process was even followed.”

“Hundreds of thousands have died, millions have been displaced and millions more have been left with lasting trauma. This was all based on a choice made in Australia’s name that lacks any accountability, form of transparency or oversight. ” 

“The decision-making process for sending the ADF to war requires major reform. I sincerely hope that the Labor government takes the opportunity to share with the community how such a devastating decision was made and what needs to change to ensure it never happens again.”

“These documents will provide valuable insight into what the Howard government knew, the time in which they knew it, and exactly what mechanism and authority they used to deploy Australian troops to Iraq, four of whom never came home”. 

Humanitarian assistance in response to earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

The Australian Government will provide an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquakes that have struck Türkiye and Syria.

In Türkiye, Australia will provide $7 million in lifesaving assistance. $4 million of this will be provided through our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners for food and items such as tents and blankets to support those injured and evacuated. A further $3 million will be allocated as needs become clearer.

In Syria, Australia will provide $3 million through our longstanding partner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), for immediate needs including shelter, clean water and sanitation, with a focus on women and girls.

Australia’s assistance will target those in greatest need.

We extend Australia’s deepest sympathies to families and communities that have lost loved ones, and those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

Jail time for Pharmacist and Practice Manager

A Pharmacist and Practice Manager from across Australia were sentenced last week after fraudulently claiming more than $470,000 in payments under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The below outcomes are a culmination of a strong collaboration between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).

Victoria – 2 February 2023 – Carson Au

Victorian pharmacy practitioner Carson Au was sentenced to two years imprisonment after having made 76 false PBS claims between 25 February 2018 and 20 September 2019.

Au received PBS payments in the amount of $110,461.68 to which he was not entitled.  

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment commencing on the 2 February 2023 and will serve eight months in custody before being released on a $5,000 Good Behaviour Bond of two years.

All monies owed by Mr Au have been repaid.

New South Wales – 3 February 2023 – Amanda Leigh Blackburn

Former practice manager Amanda Blackburn of St Clair was sentenced to a maximum of four years imprisonment with a minimum two years to be served by the Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to defrauding taxpayers of almost $315,000 by lodging false MBS claims.

Ms Blackburn was found to have made 3,915 false or misleading MBS claims for 6,897 services between 26 March 2014 and 1 February 2021 that were not actually provided to patients.

A Restitution Order was issued by the Court for $314,253.60

The Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of Medicare non-compliance very seriously and all tip-offs are reviewed.

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.

Milestone for School HPV Vaccination

Parents are being offered a new tool to help them stay on top of their child’s school vaccinations as the new academic year gets underway.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW Health has launched a convenient new online portal for parents to consent to their child being vaccinated in the free school vaccination program.

Parents are also strongly encouraged to access any missed vaccines through their GP and pharmacist immunisers.

Mr Hazzard said the reminder comes as recent changes to the National Immunisation Program have reduced the HPV vaccination schedule to a single dose for the majority of people aged under 25. People who are immunocomprimised will need to continue with the recommended three-dose schedule.

“Almost one million students have been vaccinated against HPV since the school program was expanded to include both girls and boys in 2013,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused some disruption to the usually high take-up rates of HPV jabs, so the new school year is the perfect time to get back on track.

“Before COVID-19, around 85 per cent of students were vaccinated against HPV each year but that has fallen in 2022 with 71 per cent of males and 75 per cent of females in Year 7 being vaccinated. So 2023 is our chance to lift those rates again.

“The new online portal will help NSW Health to streamline registrations for all school-based vaccinations by removing any chance of parental consent forms getting lost or damaged in school bags, or forgotten.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell welcomed the milestone and the key role schools have played in the program.

“Schools are the centre of their communities and they’ve played a pivotal role in helping young people get vaccinated. Having the service at schools makes it easier for parents to make sure their child is protected and I’d encourage any parents with children who missed out to take up the opportunity,” Ms Mitchell said.

Schools will provide the link to the online consent portal directly to parents before the planned school vaccination visit.

The world-leading HPV school vaccination program, together with cervical screening, has Australia on track to be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.

If vaccination rates get back to pre-COVID levels, the HPV school vaccination program is likely to see a reduction of cervical cancer of up to 90 per cent in the coming years.

Strains of HPV can lead to mouth cancer, throat cancer, cervical cancer and various cancers of the genital area in men and women. Signs of infection are often not visible.

NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urges parents to use the portal to ensure their kids are up to date with their school vaccinations to help keep them safe.

“The benefits of vaccination against HPV are greatest when given before exposure to the virus, which is why we offer vaccination to all students in Year 7,” Dr Chant said.

The change to a single dose is based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which has considered the latest international scientific and clinical evidence showing a single dose gives comparable protection against HPV infection in healthy young people.

The Australian Government has provided HPV vaccine free to girls aged 12-17 years since 2007, through the national HPV vaccination school-based program.  Males were added to the program in 2013. The cervical screening program was established in 1991.

The NSW Government has invested approximately $148 million in the 2022-23 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.

WestInvest transforms western Sydney

The NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program is securing the best quality of life for the people of Western Sydney – one of the youngest, fastest-growing and most diverse populations in the nation.

Treasurer Matt Kean today revealed more than $250 million for local councils, community groups and Western Sydney University in Parramatta to provide 16 transformational projects.

It brings the total WestInvest funding allocated so far to more than $3.45 billion, with more to come.

New parks and walking tracks, youth hubs, libraries, school upgrades and sporting precincts are some of the projects that will benefit a huge cross-section of people.

The once-in-a-generation city-changing enhancements include:

· About $1.8 billion from the $3 billion WestInvest NSW Government Allocation to deliver new and improved schools and critical road upgrades;

· More than $1.3 billion for councils and community groups to deliver 100 projects in Western Sydney through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round, with more projects to be announced;

· More than $357 million for eligible councils to deliver 68 projects through the $400 million in Community Project Grants – Local Government Allocation, with projects still to be announced in Strathfield, The Hills and Hawkesbury.

Mr Kean said WestInvest is securing a brighter future for Western and Southwestern Sydney families through transformative local infrastructure that will benefit residents.

“Thanks to the NSW Government’s strong economic stewardship and successful WestConnex asset recycling program, we continue to deliver once-in-a-generation improvements to Sydney’s west,” Mr Kean said.

“Today in Parramatta we are announcing a new state-of-the-art Indigenous Centre of Excellence, a huge boost to walking and cycling paths, new parks and a revamp of the 30-year-old Riverside Theatre.”

Mr Kean said the projects will deliver more open spaces and help connect communities.

“We are forging a new era for this great region that will continue to benefit from WestInvest projects for many decades,” Mr Kean said.

“Western Sydney is one of the most diverse and dynamic economic centres in Australia. WestInvest will support the region’s growth and help spur local jobs to lift our State to even greater heights.”

NSW budget still on track for surplus despite more floods and economic headwinds

The NSW Budget remains on track to return to surplus in 2024-25, despite a challenging global economic landscape, unprecedented flooding across the State, high inflation and record cost of living.

Treasurer Matt Kean today released the 2022-23 Half Yearly Review, showing the State’s finances remain solid and economic growth has exceeded expectations, underpinning the Government’s continued investments to support families and build a brighter future.

The key updates include:

· The State remains on track to return to surplus in 2024-25

· Real Gross State Product (GSP), a measure of the State’s economic output, is expected to increase by 3¾ per cent in 2022-23

· The Government is continuing to support households by providing $7.2 billion  in cost-of-living relief in 2022-23

“The Budget remains on track to return to surplus, just as the Government first promised in November 2020, despite the Delta and Omicron outbreaks, the unprecedented flooding, high inflation and interest rate hikes our State has faced since then,” Mr Kean said.

“The fact that NSW remains the only Australian state with two triple-A credit ratings and leads the nation in business conditions speaks to this Government’s record of strong economic management.

“The strength of the NSW economy and budget underpins the Government’s plan to support households with cost-of-living relief and invest in economic reforms and infrastructure to boost productivity and crush inflation.”

The 2022-23 NSW Budget included $7.2 billion for cost-of-living support such as the Toll Relief Rebate Scheme, Back to School vouchers, Energy Bill Buster program and more than 70 rebates, vouchers and concessions to help households manage their budgets.

In the Half-Yearly Review, the State’s infrastructure program has increased to a record $116.6 billion over the four years to 2025-26, driven by investments in new and existing transport infrastructure and health facilities.

“Over the past 12 years the Government has delivered ground-breaking infrastructure projects that have transformed the lives of the NSW people, including 58 new and 155 upgraded schools and more than 180 new or upgraded health facilities,” Mr Kean said.


The Government is also continuing to invest in productivity enhancing reforms that will help grow the economy.

“Our $16.5 billion investment, over the next decade, to improve women’s economic opportunities and child development, is set to help unleash the aspirations of women across NSW, with the female workforce participation rate near record highs,” Mr Kean said.

“Our housing reforms are already clearing the barriers to home ownership, with 761 first home buyers opting into the First Home Buyer Choice in the fortnight after it launched on 16 January 2023.”

Read the Half Yearly Review here: https://www.budget.nsw.gov.au/2022-23/half-yearly-review

NSW budget delivering for women, first home buyers and climate

Improving women’s economic opportunities, providing affordable housing and seizing the investment opportunities of clean energy are key policy objectives being delivered by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the transformational 2022-23 NSW Budget is improving the lives of people and strengthening the NSW economy for the long term, with key reforms already becoming a reality.

“Since our June Budget, the Liberal and Nationals Government has created more opportunities for women to grow their own prosperity and power the economy, made it easier for people to get the keys to their first home, and we’ve accelerated our plan to reduce emissions and become a net zero superpower,” Mr Kean said.

Women’s Economic Opportunities – $16.5 billion over 10 years to level the playing field for women, with $4.9 billion committed over the four years to 2025-26.

  • NSW Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund Act 2022 – driving up to $5 billion of investment in high-quality childcare over 10 years and removing barriers for women to participate in the workforce.
  • IVF assistance – women in NSW undergoing IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies can access a cash rebate of up to $2,000.
  • Pre-school fee relief – up to $4,000 a year in fee relief for families with children attending preschool.
  • Paid-parental leave – every mother and father in the NSW public sector is now entitled to 14 weeks of paid parental leave over two years.

Housing – $2.8 billion to improve housing affordability and help more people own their own home.

  • First Home Buyer Choice – reduces the upfront cost of buying a first home by giving buyers the choice of an annual property fee instead of stamp duty for purchases up to $1.5 billion. In the fortnight since it began on 16 January 2023, first home buyers decided against paying $34.6 million in stamp duty, with 761 buyers indicating they will opt for an annual property fee instead.
  • Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper – the NSW Government will contribute a proportion of the purchase price of a property for single parents and single people over 50 years of age on lower incomes, as well as eligible first home buyer key workers. Since commencing on 23 January 2023, 117 applications have been completed or are in progress and Bendigo Bank has received more than 5,600 enquiries.

The clean economy – NSW is on track to reduce its emissions by 70 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035.

STATEMENT FROM GREENS LEADER ADAM BANDT ADDRESSING SENATOR LIDIA THORPE’S RESIGNATION FROM THE PARTY

Senator Lidia Thorpe has advised Greens Leader Adam Bandt of her decision to resign from the Australian Greens, but remain in the Senate. 

She leaves the Party Room a tremendously respected figure, who has undertaken critical campaigning work to progress a Treaty in Australia, raise the age of criminal responsibility, end the deportation of First Nations people and fight racism in the prison and child protection systems.

While she will no longer sit in the Greens Party Room, Mr Bandt said he hoped Senator Lidia Thorpe and the Greens will continue to work closely together on important issues given their strong policy alignment. Senator Thorpe has told Mr Bandt she intends to vote with the Greens on climate.

Mr Bandt had asked Senator Thorpe to remain in the Party Room, including as the Greens First Nations spokesperson. Mr Bandt had also confirmed with Senator Thorpe that under the Greens constitution she could choose to vote as she saw fit on the question of Voice, and that if she voted differently from her colleagues, she would retain her portfolios but not be the party’s spokesperson on the referendum and would be free to express her views. 

The Greens continue to hold the balance of power position in the Senate and will continue to be essential to the passage of government legislation and other Parliamentary actions that the Coalition opposes.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“Senator Thorpe has made a phenomenal contribution to the Greens and I’m truly sorry to see her leave our party room,” Mr Bandt said. 

“I’m sad to see her go, as I respect her greatly as a fighter for her people.

“I tried hard to get her to stay with the Greens as our First Nations spokesperson, but she has chosen another course to advance the Blak Sovereignty movement. 

“Senator Thorpe has drawn attention to human rights abuses at Don Dale, fought the deportation of First Nations people, fearlessly challenged the colonial relics of parliamentary process and fiercely pursued Treaty.

“The Greens will continue to work closely with Senator Thorpe on a range of issues and I thank her for committing to vote with the Greens on climate.”

Greens Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Senator Thorpe has been such a strong voice for First Nations people in the Parliament and our Party Room. I have a deep admiration for her unwavering commitment to Blak justice. I’m very sad to see her go,” Senator Faruqi said.

“We have worked together as allies against white supremacy and racism in all its forms, and I know we will continue this work along with climate justice and other vital progressive fights.”

GREENS TABLE EVACUATION TO SAFETY LEGISLATION

The Greens have today introduced legislation in the Senate to compel the government to offer immediate evacuation to Australia to all remaining refugees and people seeking asylum still stranded offshore in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

“After ten long years of offshore detention it is abhorrent that about 150 people remain exiled in PNG and Nauru,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“The Bill has been designed specifically to fit within Labor’s policy settings, and avoid the toxic refugee politics of the past two decades.” 

“But most importantly, it offers a way forward for people seeking asylum who have suffered so much for so long.”

“When in Opposition, Labor was happy to support the Medevac amendment moved by the Greens. This Bill gives them the chance to work in the same spirit of cooperation to finish that task.”

“It was the ALP which sent every one of these people to Manus Island and Nauru in 2013, which means that Labor has a moral responsibility to end their exile.”

“Offshore detention has been a humanitarian calamity, and one of the darkest and bloodiest chapters in our country’s story. It is time we wrote the ending, and this Bill will help us to do that.

“The legislation does not require the government to settle people permanently in Australia, but to offer to support them in Australia until a durable third-country solution is secured.”

“This Bill represents a compassionate and practical solution to the ongoing crisis of offshore detention.”

“It provides a necessary step towards a durable solution for people who have been without one for nearly a decade. It will offer people a chance at safety in Australia with the support and medical attention they need while awaiting resettlement in a safe third country.”

“This is a critical step in ensuring that people who sought asylum in Australia and were treated so abhorrently finally get the dignity and respect they deserve, and the chance to rebuild their lives in safety and freedom.”

The legislation would require the Minister to:

  • make an immediate offer of evacuation to all refugees and people seeking asylum still in PNG and Nauru (around 150 people), unless they have had an adverse security assessment made against them by ASIO;
  • place all refugees and people seeking asylum who accept the offer in the Australian community, and not into held detention;
  • make available to all people evacuated to Australia with any medical assessments and treatments they need;
  • allow for all people evacuated to Australia under this legislation to remain in Australia until they are provided with a durable solution to their displacement with a third-country that is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or 1967 Refugee Protocol.