Diving against debris ahead of plastic ban

With just over a week until NSW bans more single-use plastics, Minister for Environment James Griffin has joined dozens of citizen science scuba divers and snorkelers in a community effort to clean up Sydney Harbour and highlight exactly why the bans are needed.
 
After donning a wetsuit and snorkeling gear to collect plastic litter from Sydney Harbour, Minister for Environment James Griffin said the ban on single-use plastics is just the beginning of a massive shift away from single-use plastics in NSW.
 
“In June, we banned lightweight single-use plastic bags and from 1 November, we’re banning some of the most commonly littered single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, bowls, straws, and polystyrene food ware,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“About 95 per cent of the litter on beaches and waterways comes from suburban streets, and single-use plastic items and packaging make up two thirds of all litter in NSW.
 
“We know from Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) data that Manly Cove is among the worst beaches in the country for microplastic pollution, with research finding more than 850 pieces of microplastic per square metre.
 
“This is exactly why we must end our reliance on single-use plastic, and why the NSW bans are critical for changing behavior and improving the state of our environment for the benefit of biodiversity and future generations.”
 
The Dive Against Debris event at Manly Cove saw dozens of concerned citizens don scuba gear and snorkels before heading below the surface to collect plastic waste and debris from Sydney Harbour.
 
Dive Against Debris was founded in 1995 by Dive Centre Manly’s Richard Nicholls and has grown into the world’s largest Citizen Science marine project.
 
Now thousands of PADI dive centres regularly conduct underwater plastic clean-ups across the globe, with an estimated 250,000 divers worldwide gathering important data about the scope of the plastic pollution problem.
 
“Sydney Harbour is choking on plastic so it’s absolutely fantastic that the NSW Government is banning many single-use plastics,” Mr Nicholls said.
 
“Marine mammals and fish are dying through plastic ingestion and entanglement, and items are breaking down into microplastics that end up in the human food chain. It’s shocking and we have to stop it.”
 
From 1 November, the NSW Government is banning single-use items including:

  • plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, chopsticks, plates, bowls and cotton buds
  • food ware and cups made from expanded polystyrene
  • rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

 
This comes after lightweight single-use plastic bags were banned from 1 June.
 
The NSW Government bans will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment in the State over the next 20 years.
 
Since February, the National Retail Association (NRA) has, on behalf of the NSW Government, been providing education and support to more than 40,000 businesses and community organisations around the State to implement the changes.
 
Educational material and in-person advice has also been provided in more than 15 different languages to support business owners and communities with diverse backgrounds.
 
The NSW Government has partnered with Great Plastic Rescue to collect excess stock from wholesalers, distributors, retailers, businesses and not-for-profits for recycling and remanufacturing into new items.
 
In September, the NSW Government launched the Stop it and Swap it advertising campaign, featuring shocking images of plastic pollution in the ocean and a turtle choking on a plastic bag, as an important reminder about why the state is banning certain single-use plastics.
 
For more information about the NSW Government’s single use plastic bans, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban
 
The single-use plastic ban media kit is available here.

AUSTRALIA-JAPAN STRENGTHEN CRITICAL MINERALS COOPERATION

Australia and Japan have signed a new partnership on critical minerals to help build secure supply chains for critical minerals, which are crucial elements of clean energy technologies needed to help both countries meet net-zero commitments.

The new Critical Minerals Partnership was signed by Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King and Hirohide Hirai Japan’s Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, during the Australian visit of Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida.

The partnership will establish a framework for building secure critical minerals supply chains between Australia and Japan, and promote opportunities for information sharing and collaboration, including research, investment and commercial arrangements between Japan and Australian projects.

The partnership will support the further development of Australia’s critical minerals sector, to ensure Japan has the supply of critical minerals required for its advanced manufacturing sector.

Minister King said the new partnership underlined the ongoing strength of Australia’s deep ties and ongoing trade relationship with Japan and would build on existing trade supply chains.

“This new partnership will be a welcome boost to Australia’s critical minerals sector and will help Australia further develop its abundant reserves of critical minerals which will ultimately help both countries achieve their emissions reductions targets,” Minister King said.

“The partnership will help to open up more foreign investment in our critical minerals sector, and will increase collaboration between our two counties on the development of critical minerals.”

Australia has some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals, including rare earths, which are crucial components of clean energy technologies such as batteries, wind turbines, electric vehicles, solar panels and hydrogen electrolysers.

Minister King said the partnership was a natural progression of Australia’s long-established role as a stable and reliable supplier of minerals and energy to Japan, and underlined Australia’s growing role as a global supplier of critical minerals.

“The new partnership will help drive the development of Australia’s critical minerals sector and promote more foreign investment into crucial projects which will mine, develop and process these essential minerals,” Minister King said.

“The Australian Government is working with our international partners, state and territory governments and industry to position Australia as a world leader in exploration, extraction, production and processing of critical minerals.

“These resources not only support Australia’s standard of living, they will pave the way to a clean energy future for Australia, for Japan and for the world.”

$50 MILLION BUDGET PLEDGE FOR ABORIGINAL CULTURAL CENTRE

The October Budget will deliver on the Albanese Labor Government pledge to jointly fund a world-class Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia.

The Commonwealth is partnering with and matching the McGowan Labor Government’s commitment to this important project with each Government contributing $50 million after jointly funding the feasibility study.

A Terrace Road site as the preferred location has been chosen primarily for its connection to the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), Heirisson Island (Matta Gerup) and Kings Park (Katta Koomba), all places of cultural significance to the Noongar people.

Planning for the project with extensive engagement is underway with Aboriginal people and communities across WA, under a Cultural Authority Framework.

This Framework is embedding Aboriginal-led community engagement and cultural decision-making processes in the development and ongoing operation for the centre.

This extensive state-wide consultation with Aboriginal people and communities will help shape the vision and key functions of the centre.

The centre will be an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living culture and share it with the nation and the world.

As a centre of global significance it will celebrate the diversity of WA’s Aboriginal communities.

The Albanese Government is committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full and the Prime Minister has outlined a possible question and amendment to the constitution for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

A referendum on The Voice will be held in this term of Government.

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“We committed to delivering $50 million for the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and as promised, that money will be in this week’s Federal Budget.

“An Aboriginal cultural centre is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living culture and share it with the nation and the world.

“My Government remains committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, and will hold a referendum on the Voice to Parliament in this term of Government.”

Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians said:

“The world class Aboriginal Cultural Centre will be built on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people.

“It will provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase and celebrate Indigenous culture and promote a deeper understanding for visitors from across the county and the globe. “

Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Member for Perth said:

“This is the big, visionary project that Western Australia needs.”

“This funding ensures the Federal and State governments can work together to deliver a major cultural and tourist attraction for all Australians.

“It is now time for private and philanthropic contributors to get behind this project.

“I encourage all Western Australians to think on how we design and build this visionary addition to Perth’s skyline.”

COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $6 MILLION TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S TELETHON

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today announced the Commonwealth Government has committed $6 million towards this year’s Western Australia Telethon fundraising appeal.

Telethon is an annual televised fundraising appeal in Western Australia and is broadcast live for 26 hours.

Now in its 55th year, over the past five decades Telethon has raised more than $457 million for sick and disadvantaged children.

The funding supports medical research, children’s hospitals and critical services for children with a disability. Key beneficiaries include the Telethon Kids Institute, a medical research institute based at Perth Children’s Hospital, WA Child Research Fund and Lions Eye Institute.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Telethon is a Western Australian institution and it was an honour to attend today and announce the Commonwealth’s contribution to this worthy cause.

“Just a few weeks ago I met Emily and Ari, two of this year’s Little Telethon Stars, and I was blown away by their enthusiasm and excitement despite the individual challenges they have faced.

“Telethon wouldn’t happen without the generosity of Western Australian’s who dig deep every year.

“Thank you to the organisers and volunteers, Little Telethon Stars Ari, Emily and Leo, the WA Government, and businesses and the Western Australian community for donating to this very special cause.”

Australia-European Union Framework Agreement enters into force

The Framework Agreement between the European Union and Australia, which provides a platform for closer collaboration across our full strategic relationship, enters into force today.

The Agreement has now been ratified by Australia, the European Union and all EU member states, after being signed in 2017.

Today is a significant milestone, as the Agreement will help advance negotiations of an Australia-EU Trade Agreement and pave the way for closer collaboration on key bilateral and multilateral issues.

These issues include climate change and the environment, sustainable development, human rights and democracy, education, culture, research and innovation, trade and investment, tourism, and security.

Our partnership with the EU has never been more important.

Australia and the EU are united in our response to Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine. We continue to work together to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and hold Russia accountable for its actions.

We cooperate closely in the Indo-Pacific to promote a region that is peaceful and stable, governed by accepted rules and norms, and where all countries and peoples can cooperate, trade and thrive.

The EU is Australia’s third largest trading partner and second largest source of foreign investment. Enhanced links will contribute to energy security and facilitate investment in renewable energy and the development of secure and sustainable critical minerals supply chains.

Australia particularly welcomes the opportunity to work even more closely with the EU on addressing the climate crisis. We share an unwavering commitment to ambitious domestic and international action to implement the Paris Agreement, support energy transitions and climate resilience globally.

Ending pay secrecy alone won’t close gender pay gap

The Greens welcome the announcement this week that the government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill will include new rules to end pay secrecy clauses to stop employees from discussing how much they get paid, something the Greens have previously sought to legislate for.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson for Women, Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Pay secrecy has been an ongoing contributor to the gender pay gap.

“Abolishing mandatory pay secrecy is what my 2015 Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill proposed, and we are glad that the new Government has now adopted that approach. 

“Employment contracts that insist on pay secrecy have been used to hide the gender pay gap. Removing employee pay gag clauses will create a more level playing field for women in the workplace.

“However, this move is not the panacea to close the persistent gender pay gap. The latest gender pay gap stats released yesterday show we need to ensure women-dominated occupations are remunerated in a way that better reflects their value to society. 

“The easiest way to close the gender pay gap is to pay women more. The government could legislate for above average wage increases over 10 years in women-dominated industries, which would provide a much-needed boost to women’s economic security and ensure we can attract and retain staff in these critical sectors.  

“The Workplace Gender Equality Agency should also be given more powers to tackle gender inequality in the workplace, including preventing companies who are not working to reduce their pay gap from getting government contracts, and requiring organisations to report on the volume of sexual harassment complaints (including actions taken) and use non-disclosure agreements.

“We welcome this first step, but women still have to work an extra 60 days to earn the same average salary as men, and the gender pay gap won’t close just because workers are allowed to talk about it,” concluded Senator Waters.

Labor must establish National Energy Transition Authority in Budget

The Greens say coal workers and communities deserve a National Energy Transition Authority in Tuesday’s budget in the wake of Queensland and Victoria announcing plans to bring forward the closure of coal-fired power plants.

Greens spokesperson on Industry, Transition and Regional Development Senator Penny Allman-Payne says the workers and community members she recently met with in the Latrobe Valley, Hunter region and her own hometown of Gladstone were unanimous in their support for the urgent establishment of a National Energy Transition Authority.

Senator Allman-Payne introduced the Greens’ National Energy Transition Authority Bill to parliament in September. It has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics which will report on 14 March next year.

Greens spokesperson on Industry, Transition and Regional Development Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Recent announcements by Queensland and Victoria show that Australian governments are finally calling time on coal-fired power. But we can’t afford to let the transition to a renewable energy economy happen in a disjointed and haphazard way.

“We need a national body to help coordinate and fund this potentially national-building transformation. The Greens’ National Energy Transition Authority would work with communities, workers, unions, energy companies and governments at all levels to plan the pipeline of clean energy projects, and ensure a bright future for former coal workers and regional communities.

“I’ve met with many of these workers and communities and they all say the same thing. The ground is shifting rapidly under their feet, they can see the writing on the wall and they want the government to help them plan their futures.

“We know from similar energy transition bodies in Europe that if you plan the transition, workers can move into new well-paid jobs, be redeployed through industry-wide pooling or benefit from early retirement.

“The Greens are ready to negotiate with Labor to deliver a National Energy Transition Authority. We know that there is support in the Parliament for it, and we know that coal communities are keen to see it happen.

“The clock is ticking. The government needs to show that it’s listening to workers and regional communities by establishing a National Energy Transition Authority in next week’s budget.”

Capital works top $100 million as City of Newcastle confirms outcome of financial year

City of Newcastle (CN)’s annual financial report confirms the city invested more than $100 million into infrastructure projects last year, as part of a stimulus program to buffer the local the economy during the pandemic.

Audited financial statements for the financial year 2021/22 show CN delivered $100.6 million in key infrastructure projects, following on from $102.3 million spent the year before, again as a response to the economic impact of COVID-19.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said last year’s budget was strategically boosted to address the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the local community, a move made possible by CN’s strong financial record.

“There’s no doubt COVID-19 placed significant strain on our community and our budget, however as a Council we understand the importance of providing targeted responses and support for those in need,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Council unanimously voted in August 2021 to spend an extra $10 million on additional COVID support measures to stimulate the local economy and help create more than 100 new jobs.”

“This decision, which was made in the midst of a pandemic-enforced lockdown that would ultimately last for more than two months, was only possible due to our strong financial position, a legacy of delivering six consecutive operating surpluses prior to the pandemic.”

While the capital works boost resulted in CN running a $12.5 million deficit if revenue from capital grants and contributions are excluded, CN still recorded a $20 million turnaround in its financial performance from the year before.

In addition to the impacts of the three-month lockdown of Newcastle from August last year was the Wickham fires, which cost $2.5 million in clean-up costs, and to date remains outstanding by the owners of the two demolished buildings.

The Newcastle Airport, which is 50 per cent owned by CN, also suffered a $2.3 million loss versus a forecast profit of $4.0 million.

However, with the impacts of COVID-19 continuing to reduce, CN is forecasting a budget surplus this year of $1.3 million despite a record $132 million infrastructure spend.

The City remains in a strong financial position with net assets of $1.91 billion and total cash reserves of more than $363 million, including unrestricted reserves of $26.6 million.

Cr Nelmes said CN would continue to deliver high-quality services and projects in a financially responsible way.

Highlights of the capital works program delivered in 2021/22 include:

  • $16.6 million on renewal and maintenance of the city’s roads
  • $14.1 million on waste management including planning for the organic waste processing facility
  • $11.3 million on transport projects
  • $10.6 million on city centre and urban centre revitalisation
  • $8.8 million on recreation parks, sporting facilities and open spaces including the $1.5 million Wallsend Active Hub
  • $7 million on the environment including $3.6 million on coast, estuary and wetlands
  • $4.9 million on renewal and maintenance of the stormwater network
  • $4.3 million on coastal revitalisation
  • $3.7 million on aquatics facilities including the first stage of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade project
  • $3.5m on fleet renewal
  • $1.8 million on the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said while COVID-19 had caused obvious financial challenges, prudent economic management had allowed CN to increase its support for the community without risking its track record of financial sustainability.

“Our financial statements have been audited by the NSW Audit Office who issued an unqualified opinion for the 2021/22 financial year, which is an outstanding result. CN also outperformed the benchmarks in all but one of the six financial key performance ratios set by the Office Local Government,” Mr Bath said.

“Prudent financial management again enabled us to cope with the economic impacts of COVID-19 and support our community when they needed it most,” Mr Bath said.

“Increasing our works program to $100 million for the second consecutive year helped stimulate the local economy and create new employment opportunities, with every one million dollars we spend generating about 10 new local jobs.

“Importantly, the works were fully funded from the City’s cash reserves, which have been built on the back of six years of strong financial management and surpluses.

“While we’ve felt the enormous impacts of the past three COVID-affected financial years, the underlying financial strength of our organisation and hard work of our staff has ensured we are well positioned to support existing services and invest in new and upgraded infrastructure to improve the livelihood and wellbeing of our community.”

Libs: Labor backs illegal strikes

Tonight NSW Labor voted against proposed amendments to the Industrial Relations Act which sought to impose bigger penalties for unions taking illegal strike action in breach of orders made by the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).

Under the proposed amendments, the maximum penalty that could have been imposed on unions or employers for contravention of dispute orders would have been aligned with those available in Queensland and in the federal industrial relations jurisdiction.

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said that it was disappointing that Labor chose to support industrial disharmony and chaos for the people of NSW by voting against the proposed amendments.

“In recent times, unions have repeatedly chosen to ignore orders of the IRC prohibiting industrial action. The amendments proposed by the NSW Government were intended to deter unions from flouting IRC orders and disrupting essential services for the people of NSW,” Mr Tudehope said.

“This kind of illegal action interferes with the lives and livelihoods of ordinary workers and small business owners and should not be cheered on by the Labor party.

“These unions have deep pockets and consider the current penalties as a minor cost of doing business. Without increasing penalties, we can expect Labor’s year of the strike to continue.”

Labor’s position follows their conference over the weekend where parliamentarians gave Rail, Tram and Bus Union boss Alex Claassens a standing ovation after a speech promising to continue his political campaign of strikes.

Last week, the Supreme Court of NSW handed down a $60,000 fine to the NSW Teachers Federation for industrial action organised and promoted by the union in breach of dispute orders made by the IRC. The Court noted the union’s annual revenue from memberships alone is $37 million.

The Court held the breaches were ‘inimical to the orderly conduct of the conciliation and arbitration system established by the [Industrial Relations] Act’.

Penalties for breaching dispute orders can only be applied against industrial organisations or employers and not against the individuals or workers participating in industrial action.

Tech Central Scaleup Hub opens its doors

Sydney’s Tech Central has further cemented itself as the country’s premier technology innovation district with the official opening today of a new scaleup hub on Pitt Street.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the Tech Central Scaleup Hub, run by Stone & Chalk, is designed to help Australian technology scaleups and startups grow, create jobs and attract world-leading companies to NSW. 
 
“The Scaleup Hub is right in the heart of Sydney’s Tech Central District and is at the forefront of the NSW Government’s strategy to attract investment, accelerate growth and ensure the jobs of the future are created here in NSW,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Set across six levels and 8,000 square metres of open and flexible space, the hub will help draw companies to Sydney and continue our push to make Sydney the major technology hub of the Asia Pacific.”
 
Stone & Chalk CEO Michael Bromley said several innovative tech companies working in advanced manufacturing, Fintech and education are already in place and working from the hub, with opportunities for more to join.
 
“This is Stone & Chalk’s second hub in Sydney and builds on our mission to help transform NSW into a sustainable technology-driven economy,” Mr Bromley said.
 
“We are calling on cutting-edge companies looking to expand and grow to set up in the scaleup hub and take advantage of all the exciting opportunities that Tech Central has to offer.”
 
Country manager of new resident 3D printing company Nano Dimension, Omer Tangi, said the hub’s proximity to leading industry experts and institutions such as the University of Technology was a major drawcard.
 
“As an international scaleup this is our first location in Australia and we are excited to be around other innovative scaleups as we use advanced 3D printing technologies to reshape and redefine the future of electronics production,” Mr Tangi said.
 
“Proximity to world-class universities such as UNSW and UTS plus other Tech Central residents including Atlassian, Commonwealth Bank and Cicada Innovations is great for our growing company.”
 
The new Scaleup Hub will support the NSW Government’s target of bringing 25,000 future-focused innovation jobs to NSW.
 
For more information, visit https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/living-working-and-business/tech-central-scaleup-hub/.