KNOW HOW TO SPOT A SCAM THIS SCAMS AWARENESS WEEK

Canberrans are encouraged to learn to identify the key scam signs to protect themselves and their loved ones, as more than $7 million was lost in reported scams in 2021.

Minister for Consumer Affairs, Shane Rattenbury, said it was important Canberrans remained vigilant.

“With scams becoming more prevalent on social media, text messages and emails, the ACT recorded the highest amount of money lost to scams than any other state or territory in proportion to population,” Minister Rattenbury said.

“No one is immune to scams. Scammers target people from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and income levels. This week is Scams Awareness Week and we’re encouraging Canberrans to have a conversation with their family and friends about scams. Talking can help people spots the signs early and avoid being scammed.

“One of the best ways to combat scams is by being aware of them and knowing how to protect yourself. When dealing with uninvited contact, always consider the possibility that it may be a scam.”

Scams often operate by claiming to be from a genuine source such as a trusted organisation or family member. If unsure, check that a communication is real by contacting the person or organisation directly using details you have found yourself.

“Many scams go unreported due to feelings of shame and embarrassment, but I encourage anyone who thinks they have been scammed to report the matter to the ACCC via ScamWatch,” Minister Rattenbury said

“By reporting scams you can help the ACCC disrupt scammers and warn about emerging scams. Reporting a scam may protect others so please don’t feel embarrassed to lodge a report.”

For more information visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.

Samantha*, an ACT resident who fell victim to a bank phishing scam said:

“Someone claiming to be a supervisor within my bank’s fraud department called to let me know they had detected unusual activity on my account. They asked if I had opened any suspicious links lately and I told them about the link I had clicked about a month earlier. They informed me that malware had been installed on my phone. They asked me to transfer my savings of $20,000 from my existing account to a new account that they told me was linked to my current one but with updated credentials so the scammer couldn’t access it. The phone numbers that appeared were legitimate numbers that had been spoofed and the caller had access to my full name and location.”

Theo*, an ACT resident who fell victim to a romance baiting cryptocurrency scam said:

“I met a nice girl on a dating app and we had been speaking for a month and a half when she brought up cryptocurrency. She said she could show me how to trade. I signed onto a legitimate cryptocurrency platform and transferred $30,000 into the account. She asked me to change the currency into USDT and into a new wallet. My account reached $422,000 USDT so I wanted to withdraw and change it back into Australian dollars. When I did this, I received a message that I needed to pay $112,000 to make the withdrawal. A friend tried to help me retrieve the funds but my account was frozen as I did not pay the service fee.”

*Names have been changed to protect identity.

TRANSFORMATION – AN EXHIBITION MADE FROM 100% RECYCLED MATERIAL FOR RECYCLING WEEK

“Endless consumption on a finite planet does not work,” said Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Arts and the Circular Economy. 

“This year’s Recycling Week theme explores the idea that waste isn’t waste until it’s wasted. I’m thrilled to open Candice Addicoat’s exhibition, Transformation, made entirely from recycled material. What a perfect way to celebrate Recycling Week!” 

Local designer Candice Addicoat has installed Transformation in the Reception Room in the Legislative Assembly. Candice is the founder of charity design organisation Scene and plastic recycling initiative Plastic Static as well as a resident designer in The Green Shed.

Candice will host morning and afternoon tea today and present an artist’s talk for National Recycling Week (7 – 11 November).  

“As a designer, I love to create beautiful and purposeful things for the community,” said Candice Addicoat. “One of the reasons I design with used items and waste is to demonstrate we are surrounded by free materials that can improve the way we live.” 

“It’s unnecessary that so many unwanted things end up in landfill. Mass produced items also lead to a heavy carbon footprint. I recently pioneered world-first techniques with polyethylene plastic to turn waste household plastic into designer items.” 

“My proposed program would see the most polluting plastic on the planet, polyethylene, used in the community for design and purpose. There’s no need for it to go to landfill or end up in our environment or oceans. And it’s so easy and fun to do this!” 
 

Newcastle City Library serves up chance to learn from the master with Cakeboi book launch

Novocastrians are used to City of Newcastle dishing up a great range of events across the Libraries network, but November’s upcoming book signing quite literally takes the cake.

Hamilton business owner and MasterChef Australia favourite Reece Hignell will launch his first cookbook at Newcastle City Library on 19 November with a delicious high tea and “cake off”.

City of Newcastle Director Museum Archive Libraries & Learning, Julie Baird, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Cakeboi owner and cookbook author Reece Hignell and Councillor Carol Duncan prepare for the Cakeboi - Cake Off! high tea and book launch at Newcastle City Library this month.

The mouth-watering free event will give fans of Hamilton’s “Cakeboi” the chance to learn a little more about Newcastle’s rich baking history, savour some of Reece’s top tips and sample a few of his favourite recipes.

Councillor Carol Duncan and Timberlina will join in the fun, helping Reece decorate a velvet cake masterpiece while discussing his new book, Cakeboi: A Collection of Classic Bakes, which provides step-by-step instructions on how to make the heirloom desserts passed down from his beloved Nan.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city’s libraries deliver a diverse program of free events and exhibitions to educate, entertain and enhance the experience of visiting your local branch.

“From supporting local authors with book launches and signings to collaborating with the community on art exhibitions and local history displays, our network of libraries provide a wonderful range of opportunities for lifelong learning and social and community connections,” Cr Nelmes said.

“I look forward to learning the secrets to cake baking success from Reece, who is not only a whiz in the kitchen but is also a passionate advocate for Newcastle and a wonderful ambassador for our city through his work with the Hamilton Business Improvement Association.”

The Cakeboi – Cake Off! high tea and book launch will be held from 1pm to 3pm at Newcastle City Library on Saturday 19 November. Entry is free however tickets are limited so registrations are required.

Fans will also have the chance to meet Reece at a separate book signing at Wallsend Library from 2pm to 3.30pm on Sunday 20 November. Copies of the cookbook will be available for purchase directly from Reece on both days.

Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library for more details.

NSW Labor will Slash Admin Burden on Teachers

NSW Labor will significantly reduce the burden of administrative tasks placed on our state’s teachers, beginning with a line-by-line audit of teachers’ administrative workloads.
 
Burdensome administrative workloads are eating away at precious learning time and pushing teachers out of the profession.
 
Reducing administration is a key component of Labor’s plan to address chronic teacher shortages and reverse falling student outcomes.
 
Administrative burdens & teacher shortage
 
Schools, teachers and principals are over-burdened with administrative tasks and bureaucratic processes.
 
Teachers and schools are subject to 219 policy documents requiring them to enforce compliance with a range of policies.  
 
This leaves less teaching and learning time, and has seen teachers leaving the profession in droves.
 
Full-time teachers are working on average 150 per cent of their contracted working hours – or 60.1 hours per week – according to the December 2021 Australian Teacher Workforce Data report.
 
Ninety-two per cent of teachers believe that reducing administrative workloads is the best solution to addressing the teacher shortage, according to a surveyconducted by the NSW Parliament.
 
Labor’s plan
 
An elected Minns Labor Government will instruct the Department of Education to conduct a line-by-line audit of all administrative tasks teachers are required to do, to deliver a reduction of 5 hours of administrative work per week.
 
The review will look at ways to remove, simplify or digitise tasks, with a focus on culling administrative tasks that add no benefit to student outcomes.
 
This will increase teaching and learning time in our classrooms, and reduce the attrition rate of teachers.
 
Teacher shortage and declining education outcomes
 
Over 28,000 permanent teachers left NSW public schools between 2010 and 2021.
 
Between 2006 and 2018, NSW students have dropped from 6th to 23rd in reading, dropped from 9th to 31st in maths and dropped from 3rd to 23rd in science.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

Teachers shouldn’t have to spend more time documenting a lesson than teaching it.”
 
“We will go line-by-line over every piece of admin that teachers are required to do and make sure that time will instead be spent on improving student outcomes.”
 
“Labor’s plan to reduce the bureaucratic burdens on our teachers goes to the core of the teacher shortage.

 
Prue Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Education, said:
 
“This is another necessary step to help solve the teacher shortage crisis that has grown under 12 years of Liberal-National Government.
 
“Burdensome administrative workloads are impacting learning time and pushing teachers out of the profession in droves. Ultimately, we see the impact of this in declining education outcomes.
 
“Teachers and parents both agree that teachers should be allowed to spend more time teaching – it’s the best outcome for our teachers and the best outcome for children.”

Fairer Rental Rules for Renters and Owners

NSW Labor will deliver fairer rental rules for renters and owners by providing more certainty as well as reducing the upfront moving costs for renters. 

A NSW Labor Government will allow renters to directly transfer bonds from one property to another. 

These changes will also provide greater clarity on the circumstances in which a lease can end.

Portable bonds

A NSW Labor Government will streamline the rental bond process to allow renters to directly transfer bonds from one property to another, while ensuring owners still have access to funds they may need.

Currently, many renters must find thousands of dollars for a bond for a new property before their existing bond has been refunded.

This leaves renters out of pocket up to several thousand dollars, for up to several weeks. It places many renters in financial stress and forces some to take out personal loans.

The NSW Tenants Union estimates the basic costs of moving home is around $4,000, without taking into account renters being out of pocket for weeks while they wait for their bond to be refunded.

Yet recent data shows that one in three people would need to go into debt to cover an unexpected $600 payment, and one in 10 simply wouldn’t be able to cover it.

The NSW Rental Bond Board will still hold bonds on trust. But it will allow those bonds to be held on trust for the new property, while also ensuring the board can collect against it on behalf of owners for outstanding debt accrued by renters for property damage.

As a result, no owners will be left out of pocket from these changes.

The government has previously tried and failed to implement similar provisions. Despite legislation introduced in 2018, many renters still don’t have access to portable bonds, at a time of record rent increases and severe cost of living pressures.

Reasonable grounds for ending a lease

Labor will clearly outline the grounds on which a lease may be terminated and in effect bring an end to no-ground evictions.

A NSW Labor Government will work closely with stakeholder and advocacy groups to develop a list of reasonable grounds for an owner to end a tenancy, including minimum notice to vacate a property.

Owners will of course retain common sense rights to evict those who are breaking the law, damaging property or not paying rent.  

Reasonable grounds for eviction are already in place in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT – and these changes would modernise New South Wales’ rental laws.

Renting in New South Wales

Around one third of New South Wales residents live in rented properties – or 944,585 households.

Median rent in the state has increase almost ten per cent between 2016 and 2021 – from $386 to $420.

Over 35 per cent of tenanted households in New South Wales were in rental stress. (They had rent payments greater than 30 per cent of household income).

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

Anyone who rents in Sydney knows just how anxious and challenging a process it can be to find suitable accommodation, never mind the significant costs associated with moving.

“This is a sensible cost of living measure to help ease the pressure on the over 30 per cent of people in New South Wales currently renting.

 “These changes will create a fairer rental regime in this state by providing greater certainty as well as flexibility for both renters and owners.”


Courtney Houssos, NSW Shadow Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, said:

“Moving house is considered one of life’s most stressful events. These changes will give renters and owners more certainty, allowing renters to build a home while also protecting owners.”

“Introducing reasons for eviction will update and modernise New South Wales’ rental laws and bring us in line with most other states.”

Rose Jackson, NSW Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, said:

“There is a direct relationship between our unfair rental laws and increases in housing stress and homelessness. Ending unfair no grounds evictions will provide certainty to the overwhelming  majority of tenants who do the right thing that they have a place to call home.

“More and more people are renting – and renting for life. As our housing market changes, we need to update and modernize our laws to ensure we are getting the balance right.”

$225m to expand Canterbury Hospital

A Minns Labor Government will commit $225 million over the next three years to expand and upgrade Canterbury Hospital.

This desperately needed expansion will see an increase in the hospital’s bed capacity, as well as additional services.

Canterbury Hospital has served the community for almost a century, with the hospital’s last major redevelopment taking place 25 years ago.

The hospital services not just patients from the Canterbury area, but St George, Bayside, Inner West and Inner South residents too.

Labor has long campaigned for the redevelopment of Canterbury Hospital, urgently needed as part of a wider structural fix to our healthcare system.

Two years ago 60 senior doctors wrote an open letter decrying services at Canterbury which they described as “inadequate”, “poorly resourced”, and “shocking”.

Just last month Labor lodged a petition of over 10,000 signatures with the NSW Parliament, calling for this urgently needed redevelopment to proceed.

More beds

The expansion will see at least an additional 120 beds, including more general medical and surgical beds; inpatient mental health beds; ambulatory beds; emergency department treatment spaces; intensive care unit beds; and maternity beds.

The commitment from NSW Labor will also deliver additional operating theatres and birthing rooms.

More services  

Local residents can also expect more services available at the hospital – both an expansion of existing services as well as the introduction of new services.

With 25 years since it’s last upgrade, Canterbury Hospital currently has no renal dialysis, and cuts have been made to palliative care. Existing maternity beds are shared four bed wards that is no longer considered sound clinical practice.

Expectant mothers are reluctant to discuss pregnancy related issues because their ante natal visits are held in an open, crammed room with no privacy.

The funding from NSW Labor will expand the existing maternity services with a whole new maternity department.

Outpatients services will include the full suite of cardiovascular services, diabetes management, endocrinology, respiratory and cardiology.

Labor’s commitment will also deliver renal dialysis services for the first time, at Canterbury Hospital.

And NSW Labor will also introduce a new 20-bed Community Mental Health facility.

Labor’s initial commitment of $225 million will come from the unallocated $3 billion WestInvest Government agencies fund – not the $2 billion allocated to Local Governments and community groups – which under Labor will also have its remit expanded to include urgently needed healthcare projects.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

NSW Labor will have a challenge on its hands to turn around 12 years of neglect by the Liberals of our state’s health system.

“This is a hospital that desperately needs an upgrade. In the middle of winter patients were being treated in tents.

“I’m determined to begin to meet the challenge with a comprehensive policy response, that’s not only about boosting staff numbers, but delivering the health infrastructure to go with it.

“I want to also thank and acknowledge the hard working staff at Canterbury Hospital. They have done an extraordinary job in very difficult circumstances particularly over COVID.”


Ryan Park, NSW Shadow Minister for Health, said:

“Today’s announcement represents another component to Labor’s policy response to the Liberals’ health crisis.

“NSW Labor commitment will not only expand the capacity of Canterbury Hospital, but will increase the suite of services available to local residents.”

Sophie Cotsis, NSW Labor Member for Canterbury, said:

“Like so many people in my local community I was born at Canterbury Hospital. We have been fighting for years to get extra funding, but it has never come.

“Anyone who has been to Canterbury Hospital knows it is long overdue for this upgrade and expansion. It’s been 25 years since the last time it’s been redeveloped.

“I am so proud that a Minns Labor Government will deliver on this.”

Driver charged after fatal crash – Tighes Hill 

A man will appear in court today charged following an investigation into a fatal crash in the state’s Hunter at the weekend.

About 11.10pm on Saturday (5 November 2022), emergency services were called to Maitland Road, near Henry Street, at Tighes Hill, after reports a car had left the road and collided with a power pole.

Initial inquiries suggest a Hyundai i30 was travelling east on Maitland Road when it left the roadway and collided with a power pole, splitting it in half and ejecting the male passenger from the vehicle who died at the scene.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, was able to free himself from the wreckage and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene which was examined by specialist police from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit.

About 1.30pm yesterday (Sunday 6 November 2022), the driver was arrested after being discharged from hospital and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous and negligent driving (occasioning death).

The man was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 7 November 2022).

Best of the best, past & present, honoured at 2022 Netball NSW State Dinner 

The 2022 Netball NSW State Dinner took place at the Waterview in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 5 November with the game’s best of the best coming together for a night of celebration.

Not only were awards handed out to the best athletes, umpires, officials, volunteers and administrators in the state, some of the game’s finest were also inducted into the Netball NSW Hall of Fame.

After missing out on the event for two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in total there were nine new inductions in the Hall of Fame while three individuals were elevated to Legend status – Netball NSW’s highest honour.

In many ways Saturday’s celebration was three years in the making, a point Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan was keen to make in her address.

“What makes me most proud is the fact that this year we have seen the fruit blossom from seeds planted when we were in lockdowns in 2020 and 2021,” she said.

“While it was hugely disappointing for our participants, volunteers and fans to miss out on events and competitions in those years, it didn’t mean the hard work stopped.   

“I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our grassroots community, our pathways teams and our staff for their pragmatism, commitment, passion and dedication to our game.

“Netball has, and always will be, a force for positivity and inclusion in this state and everyone has played a huge role in that, and should be very proud.”

Netball NSW would like to congratulate the following Hall of Fame inductees and Awards winners on their achievements.

2022 HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS

  • Anne Clark BEM (Elevated to Legend status)
  • Anne Doring OAM
  • Beverley Watson
  • Catherine Cox AM
  • Cheryl McCormack
  • Lynn Quinn OAM
  • Marianne Murphy
  • Maureen Boyle OAM (Elevated to Legend status)
  • Natalie Avellino
  • Neita Matthews OAM (Elevated to Legend status)
  • Sharon Kelly OAM
  • 2006 Sydney Swifts (collective team induction)

To read more about our Hall of Fame inductees please CLICK HERE

2022 AWARDS WINNERS

  • Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal: Maddy Proud (NSW Swifts) & Jo Harten (GIANTS Netball)
  • Nance Kenny OAM Medal: Lili Gorman-Brown (Sutherland Stingrays) & Eliza Burton (North Shore United)
  • Wendy Archer AM Medal: Kiara Bloor (Sutherland Stingrays)
  • Marj Groves AM Scholarship: Audrey Little (QBE Swifts Academy), Emily Moore (GIANTS Academy)
  • Margaret Corbett OAM Coach of the Year: Abbey McCulloch (Sutherland Stingrays/QBE Swifts Academy)
  • Neita Matthews OAM Umpire of the Year: Zoe Turner (Liverpool)
  • Lynn Quinn OAM Bench Official of the Year: Raelene Turner (Parramatta Auburn)
  • Dot McHugh OAM Administrator Award: Jodi Cassar (Port Stephens)
  • Anne Clark BEM Service Award: Carol Bunton (Randwick), Denise Philipson (Inner Western Suburbs), Patricia Connor (Penrith District), Judy Burns (Hawkesbury City), Vicki Newby (Parramatta Auburn).
  • Judy Dunbar Media Awards: Jenny Sinclair (Best Overall Media Coverage), Jenny Sinclair (Best Feature), Rhoda Fowler (Best Community Media)

Australia’s International Climate Engagement

Today we announce the appointment of Ms Kristin Tilley as Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change.

Ms Tilley’s appointment delivers on an election commitment to reinstate the role of Ambassador for Climate Change. Her role demonstrates to the world Australia’s resolve to urgently step up the pace of action, and work alongside global partners, particularly in the Pacific, to tackle the climate crisis. 

Ms Tilley was most recently a First Assistant Secretary at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, with over 10 years’ experience with international and domestic climate change policy and programs.

We thank former Ambassador for the Environment Mr Jamie Isbister for his excellent contribution to Australia’s engagement on international environment and climate change issues since 2019.

Ms Tilley will be part of Australia’s delegation to the 27th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Egypt, led by Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.

Minister Bowen will demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to action on climate change, building on recent actions like legislating our emissions reduction targets of 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2050. This includes our 82 percent renewable energy target and supporting action on climate change for the Pacific region.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and its impact on power prices in Australia and the world, is a reminder of the importance of the energy transformation. Restoring Australia’s credibility on climate is key to attracting investment, including in cheaper energy and new industries.

COP27 is an opportunity to strengthen these international trade partnerships and showcase Australia’s renewed climate leadership, as we demonstrate our potential as a renewable energy superpower.

The Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, will represent the Prime Minister at COP27 from 7-9 November and focus on engaging with Australia’s Pacific partners.

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Jenny McAllister, will also attend.

The Australian Government will officially bid to co-host the 31st UNFCCC COP in 2026 in partnership with our Pacific neighbours.

Nothing is more central to the security and economies of the Pacific than climate change.

The Australian Government is committed to working in partnership with Pacific countries to address the climate emergency and realise our shared ambition for a successful COP31 bid.

Becoming a clean energy superpower and seizing the economic opportunities of decarbonisation for our region won’t happen by accident. Co-hosting COP31 will help restore Australia’s reputation and increase international engagement on climate change and energy.

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

“Australia is acting on climate change at home, and will now be part of the solution in the world.

“Ms Tilley will lead Australia’s international climate engagement, working with partners to deliver opportunities for green economy jobs.

“As well as playing our part to reduce emissions, Australia is also focused on helping our neighbours deal with the climate emergency, and elevating Pacific voices and priorities on the world stage.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen (MP) said:

“The Albanese Government has already taken urgent climate action and as one of our first acts, enshrined our commitment to reach net zero emissions into law.

“Our delegation at COP27 and our COP31 bid will go a long way to help drive Australia’s economic transformation to a net zero economy, and strengthen green trade partnerships and secure jobs for Australian workers.”

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

“Climate change is being experienced by the Pacific family as a profound crisis, and an existential threat.”

“Australia recognises the Pacific’s longstanding leadership on global climate change, and together we will highlight our region’s priorities at COP27.”

“In hosting COP31, Australia and Pacific countries would profile the impact of climate change on the region, accelerate global action and harness the economic opportunities from the clean energy transition.”

GREENS CALL FOR CLOSURE OF TWO VICTORIAN PRISONS

The Victorian Greens have launched an election pitch to close two state prisons so that more money can be directed towards services proven to improve community safety, such as housing and early intervention programs.

The plan would see Barwon Prison and Loddon Prison closed by mid-2023. 

Affected maximum-security prisoners would be transferred to the new Chisholm Road Prison, while medium-security prisoners would be transferred to the Ravenhall, Hopkins, Marngoneet and Fulham prisons.

Roughly 75 per cent of affected staff would be redeployed to other prisons while redundancy packages would be provided to the remaining 25 per cent.

An independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) costing has found that the plan would save $215.1 million over the next decade.

Prior to the pandemic the Victorian Labor Government had increased the rate of spending on police and prisons more than any other portfolio area.

Despite this they have not been able to point to any evidence that any of these billions of dollars have improved community safety.

The Greens want to see future state governments commit to closing prisons rather than opening new prisons and expanding existing ones.

This money should instead go towards services that prevent Victorians – and record numbers of First Nations people – from being sent to prison in the first place, like public housing, rehabilitation and mental health services.

The Greens’ justice election platform will also scrap the $300 million dollars set aside in this year’s State Budget for additional police recruitment, after a recent report from the Auditor-General found there was no evidence Victoria’s $2 billion dollar investment in police numbers was needed, or had improved community safety.   

They also want to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14, and fix bail laws that have led to a record 11.8 per cent of prisoners identifying as First Nations, and First Nations women becoming the fastest growing demographic in Victorian prisons.

A PBO costing has revealed that by implementing all the Greens’ justice policies the state would save three billion dollars over the next decade, all of which the Greens plan to invest in proven early intervention crime prevention programs and services.

Victorian Greens justice spokesperson, Dr Tim Read said: 

“While smarter countries are closing prisons and lowering crime, in Victoria our state government is funnelling billions into prisons and police.

“This is despite the fact that study after study has revealed this does not improve community safety.

“The government should be investing this money in the things that actually prevent offending in the first place. 

“The current Victorian Labor Government has imprisoned more First Nations people than any other Victorian government on record.”

Victorian Greens Northcote candidate, Campbell Gome said: 

“The Greens are not willing to silently accept the record increases in First Nations Victorians in prison under this government. We will not let this government, or any other, turn away and pretend that this is not happening right now, and that they are not responsible.

“With 1,600 more permanent prison beds set to open over the next 12 months, but no new hospital beds, it’s not hard to see how law and order election promises from Labor and the Liberals hurt Victoria’s future.

“The Greens’ policy represents a line in the sand for Victoria, we must change course from imitating the failed policies of half a century ago, and start following contemporary justice strategies from nations with the lowest crime rates.”