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Police appeal to locate boy missing from Rutherford 

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a boy missing from the state’s Hunter region.

Robert ‘Alex’ Campbell, aged 15, was last seen on Alexandra Avenue, Rutherford, about 10.30am on Sunday (25 December 2022).

When he did not return home and could not be contacted, officers from Port Stephens Hunter Police District were notified late yesterday (Thursday 29 December 2022) and commenced inquiries to locate him.

Family and police hold concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Robert is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, between 165-175cm tall, of thin build, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. 

He is known to frequent the Rutherford, Tenambit, Muswellbrook, Singleton, and Campbelltown areas.

Anyone with information about Robert’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

FIRST NATIONS DEATHS TAKING TOLL ON COMMUNITY

A First Nations man collapsed and died at Greenough Regional Prison on Tuesday afternoon, the second death of an Aboriginal person in custodial care in less than a week. 

This death follows that of a First Nations woman at Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison who had a “medical event” on December 21 and was on life support until Christmas Eve.

In the year leading up to the end of September, 106 people died in custody and 27 per cent were First Nations people.

WA Greens Senator and Yamatji-Noongar woman, Dorinda Cox said:

“First Nations communities across WA are in distress over yet another death in custody. 

“The final months of 2022 have brought so much grief and sorrow to families who’ve lost loved ones so tragically.

“Following the violent attacks on Cassius Turvey and Diane Miller, our community is now dealing with two deaths in custody over Christmas – when loved ones should be enjoying time with their families.

“We cannot continue to accept First Nations deaths in custody as unavoidable. We need to ensure that everyone in custodial care receives adequate health and mental health care, and access to support services including visits by the community when needed.

“The Commonwealth and State governments have the solutions to change these dire outcomes – they’ve had them for over thirty years.

“I call on state governments to implement all of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report handed down in 1991, and the Commonwealth to urgently fund and implement the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) which was ratified in 2017. 

“We cannot keep turning a blind eye and accepting these devastating outcomes for First Nations people and their families.”

WA Greens MLC, Dr Brad Pettitt said:

“These two tragic deaths in custody in short succession around Christmas time are undoubtedly devastating for the families of these relatively young people.  

“WA continues to have the highest rate of incarceration in the nation and it is time that earnest steps were taken to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission and to do more to ensure these tragedies are not repeated.”

Appeal following a serious boat crash – Lake Macquarie

Detectives from the Marine Area Command are appealing for information following a fail-to-stop boating crash on Lake Macquarie earlier this year.

About 4am on Wednesday 16 October 2022, a vessel collided at speed with another vessel – that had two fishermen on board – just off Wangi Wangi Point.

When the vessel drove away; the voices of a man and a woman could be heard onboard.

Officers were notified, and the two fishermen, aged 36 and 41, were taken to the John Hunter Hospital with serious neck, spine, ribs and shoulder blade fractures as well as serious head lacerations. The men have since been discharged.

Officers from the Marine Area Command formed Strike Force Twelfth to investigate the crash. 

The damaged fishermen’s boat was seized and forensically examined, with the results indicating that the other vessel was made of aluminium and had a blue coloured hull.

Subsequent inquiries revealed the vessel was towed by a white four-door utility, that drove along Cams Boulevard in Summerland Point, about 4.35am the same day of the incident.

As inquiries continue, detectives have released CCTV footage of a vehicle whose occupants may be able to assist with inquiries.

Marine Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Acting Inspector Mick O’Keefe said someone in the community may have the final piece of information that is key in assisting detectives with solving this case.

“Through traditional detective work, investigators have established that they are looking for a male and female who were in a white Toyota Hilux, towing a blue bottomed aluminium boat. We believe some children may have been on their boat at the time of the incident and we hope no one was injured like the fishermen were,” Det A/Insp O’Keefe said. 

“This is an opportunity for those involved to turn themselves in to police, or expect a visit from detectives soon enough, it’s just a matter of time.

“If members of the public have any information which might assist detectives, I urge them to call Crime Stoppers or their local police station. Just like on the road, there are rules that need to be obeyed on the water to avoid reckless incidents like this.”

NSW Government funding for Stockton protection structure

City of Newcastle (CN) welcomes the $2.3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s 2021-22 Coastal and Estuary Grants Program for the first of three protection structures to address immediate erosion risk at Stockton Beach.

This grant will be boosted by further funding from CN for the first protection structure to be delivered as part of the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) 2020. This will see CN’s investment at Stockton since the adoption of the Coastal Management Program in 2020 increase to $9.5 million. Council has already committed $27.5 million to protecting Stockton Beach.

The first protection structure will be located at the southern end of the existing Mitchell Street seawall (just south of Pembroke Street) in Stockton.

CN has completed the design of the protection structure and has recently awarded the tender for the work and this funding will enable construction on the first protection structure to commence in the first half of 2023. CN will continue to work with Stockton Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Group to ensure works respect the significance of the Stockton coastline to the Worimi people and protects their heritage.

The design of the structure considers its ability to address erosion from storm events, as well as long-term beach recession. It also considers the requirement to protect public assets at high-risk.

The beach protection structures, and the emergency works undertaken at Stockton Beach, complement the NSW Government’s proposed mass sand nourishment on the beach.

Fatal shooting near Cessnock 

An investigation is underway following the fatal shooting of a man in the state’s Hunter Region overnight.

Shortly before 11pm (Tuesday 27 December 2022), emergency services responded to reports of a man being shot at a home on Traders Way, Heddon Greta, approximately 20km east of Cessnock.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man, but he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 25.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police.

Detectives have commenced an investigation into the incident under Strike Force Roslyn.

Illawarra to become a renewable energy powerhouse

The Illawarra is set to become a renewable energy and clean manufacturing powerhouse, following the release of the draft declaration of the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

The NSW Government is leading the transformation of our energy system by building five massive REZs across the State. The development of the REZs under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap are critical to deliver cheap, reliable and clean electricity to homes and businesses in NSW as coal-fired power stations progressively close over the next 10 to 15 years.

Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Illawarra REZ draft declaration sets out additional transmission network capacity and the geographical area that will make up the Illawarra REZ.

“The Illawarra is well placed to become a renewable energy powerhouse, thanks to its existing energy, port and transport infrastructure, its highly skilled workforce and strong demand from existing industries to decarbonise,” Mr Kean said.

“The Illawarra REZ registration of interest attracted a significant response with 44 renewable generation and storage projects registering, representing more than 17 gigawatts of new projects which could unlock around $43 billion in potential investment.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos said once the REZ has been formally declared, we will begin the next phase of development, including engaging closely with the local community, industry, councils and other stakeholders.

“This REZ will ensure the Illawarra plays a central role in our renewable energy future, powering existing and emerging industries, including in offshore wind, green hydrogen and green steel production,” Mr Poulos said.

The draft declaration is now on public exhibition for six weeks until mid-February 2023 and can be viewed online at the link below. To provide feedback or to contact EnergyCo, please email contact@energyco.nsw.gov.au.
For more information visit https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ilw-rez

Redeem your Creative Kids Voucher before it expires on 31 December

Parents are being reminded to make the most of the NSW Government’s $100 Creative Kids Voucher scheme, with plenty of school holiday programs, classes and other eligible experiences available to redeem the vouchersbefore the 31 December deadline. 
 
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said 1.7 million vouchers have been redeemed since the program was launched by the Liberal and Nationals Government four years ago, saving families $170 million and making it easier for school-aged children to participate in creative arts and cultural activities.
 
“The overwhelming enthusiasm for the scheme is a testament to the importance parents place on giving children enriching arts and cultural experiences and their appreciation for the cost-of-living supports offered by the Liberals and Nationals,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“The summer school holidays can put a lot of pressure on family budgets, so this is a timely reminder for parents to use the $100 vouchers to book experiences including school holiday workshops like dance, drama, music, art or coding classes before they expire on 31 December.”
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the success of the program is reflected in the strong up take.
“Parents love the Creative Kids voucher and have been downloading and redeeming them since it launched, giving the voucher experience 99 per cent thumbs up,” Mr Dominello said.
“The voucher gives kids the opportunity to continue to develop and nurture their creative abilities over the summer holidays.”
 
Current vouchers will expire on 31 December 2022, however, under the rules of the program they may be used to enrol in classes taking place in early 2023.
 
The vouchers enable parents, guardians and carers to claim a $100 rebate per child to put towards the cost of eligible creative arts and cultural programs. 
 
More than 4,200 providers are participating in the program, including artists, cultural practitioners, arts, screen, and creative organisations across NSW. Eligible programs include creative workshops, music tutorials, art classes, dramatic and performing arts classes and coding. Consumables such as art and craft supplies are not eligible under the initiative. 
The Creative Kids Voucher is one of four vouchers NSW families can access to help with household budgets and cost of living pressures.
Between Creative and Active Kids, Before and After School Care and the Premier’s Back to School vouchers, parents and carers can access around $850 in savings per child through the MyServiceNSW account or via the Service NSW app.
NSW families can access further savings through the NSW Savings Finder and the FuelCheck app to help with travel costs on the road this summer.
For more information including details on how to apply for a 2022 Creative Kids voucher before the 31 December deadline, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher
 
For more information on the NSW Savings Finder, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder. For more information on NSW FuelCheck, go to https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app.

CHRISTMAS 2022

Christmas is such a special time of year.

It’s a day of giving. It’s a day for relaxing together with family and friends.

And for many Australians, it is a day that is so central to their faith.

Of course, not everyone gets to take it easy today. If you’re rostered on somewhere, I want to say thank you for your service to others.

If you’re working because you’ve volunteered your time to make Christmas better for your fellow Australians – whether you’re serving lunch to those in need or you’re keeping our beaches safe – I want to express my gratitude and my admiration.

The same goes to all our emergency service workers, and of course all Australian Defence Force personnel, whether they’re serving here, or far from home overseas. Thank you to every single one of you.

Whatever form Christmas Day takes for you, may it be a very happy one. And may Santa be good to every child.

Merry Christmas.

You can view and download the Prime Minister’s Christmas message here.

Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue Joint Outcomes Statement

The Sixth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing on 21 December 2022. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong and China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of interest.

50 years on from the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides reiterated the importance of a stable, constructive relationship to both sides, the region and the world. They agreed to a relationship based on mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and navigating differences, in keeping with our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two sides agreed to maintain high-level engagement, and to commence or restart dialogue in areas including:

  • Bilateral relations
  • Trade and economic issues
  • Consular affairs
  • Climate change
  • Defence, and
  • Regional and international issues

They also agreed to support people-to-people exchanges, including the 1.5 track High-Level Dialogue, the Australia-China CEO Roundtable and visits by bilateral business delegations.

Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers on Taliban Decision to Ban Women from Universities

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union strongly condemn the Taliban’s recent decisions to ban women from universities, to continue to bar girls from secondary schools, and to impose other harsh restrictions on the ability of women and girls in Afghanistan to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Taliban’s oppressive measures against Afghan girls and women have been relentless and systemic. Over the last 16 months, the Taliban have issued no fewer than 16 decrees and edicts that, among other things, constrain women’s mobility, remove women from places of work, require head-to-toe coverings for women, ban women from using public spaces such as parks and gyms and leave widows and women-headed households in dire circumstances by the requirement of male guardianship. These policies make clear the Taliban’s disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.

Afghan women’s ingenuity and dynamism are needed urgently to help relieve profound and staggering economic and humanitarian needs. A stable, economically viable, and peaceful Afghanistan is only attainable and sustainable if all Afghans, including women and girls, can fully, equally, and meaningfully participate in and contribute to the country’s future and development.

We stand with all Afghans in their demand to exercise their human rights consistent with Afghanistan’s obligations under international law. With these moves, the Taliban are further isolating themselves from the Afghan population and the international community. We urge the Taliban to immediately abandon the new oppressive measures with respect to university education for women and girls and to, without delay, reverse the existing decision to prohibit girls’ access to secondary school.

Taliban policies designed to erase women from public life will have consequences for how our countries engage with the Taliban. Our foremost concern will continue to be the welfare, rights, and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.