REVERSAL OF MINISTERIAL DIRECTION 80 AND 83

The Greens welcome the Government’s decision to scrap Ministerial Directions 80 and 83, which will clear the way for processing of applications for family reunion visas from refugees who arrived in Australia by boat. 

“This will address one aspect of the humanitarian crisis deliberately created by bipartisan immigration policies,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“The Greens have been pressuring successive governments to remove these discriminatory and unfair Directions, which have seen families unnecessarily separated  for more than a decade.”

“However, this decision alone is not enough to resolve the broader issues facing refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia.”

“Many of these refugees have suffered trauma and abuse, and the government must provide adequate support to help them heal and rebuild their lives.”

“We now need to ensure that these family reunion visa applications are processed without delay.”

“The Greens also call on the government to deliver on their election promise to abolish Temporary Protection Visas and to provide a pathway to permanent residency for all refugees and asylum seekers in Australia.”

“The government must put an end to the ongoing uncertainty and trauma faced by refugees and asylum seekers in Australia.”

“It’s time to provide them with the security and stability they deserve.”

Show of pride as Newcastle supports celebration of diversity and inclusion

Newcastle is getting the party started ahead of the official Sydney WorldPride festivities this month, with a series of events to celebrate and support the LGBTIQ+ community.

The city will be buzzing with options for locals and visitors wanting to embrace the inclusive atmosphere, from City of Newcastle initiatives to community-led activities and the only regional event on the Sydney WorldPride calendar.

Indigenous leader Aunty Theresa Dargin, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Newcastle Pride President Lee-Anne McDougall, Newcastle Pride Vice President Hellen Richards and City of Newcastle Diversity and Inclusion Partner Stefanie Abrahams with the Progress Pride Flag before it was raised at City Hall in February 2022.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said City of Newcastle is committed to celebrating our diverse community.

“City of Newcastle has shown support to our LGBTIQ+ community through a number of initiatives in recent years, including flying the Progress Pride flag at City Hall during significant LGBTIQ+ days and events, the establishment of a rainbow walk in Islington Park, support of the ‘yes’ campaign and marriage equality and sponsorship of Newcastle Pride Festival,” Cr Clausen said.

“Our city is one of the most inclusive cities in Australia, with Newcastle responsible for one of the highest ‘yes’ vote of any city during the marriage equality vote, so we can’t wait to make the most of the Sydney WorldPride atmosphere to showcase what Newcastle has to offer.”

CN’s Night Galleries installation at Kuwami Place on Hunter Street will set the mood on Friday 17 February with the launch of the Inside/Out art exhibition curated by Newcastle Art Gallery and Queer & Now founder Jasmine Fletcher, showcasing works by local artists with those from the Gallery’s collection.

The Inside/Out exhibition launch party will kick off at 5pm at Kuwami Place and feature an incredible line-up of performers, as well as market stalls and delicious Vietnamese street food available for purchase from Yen’s Yumm Banhs.

The pre-party atmosphere will make its way to the Civic Theatre from 8.30pm for the disco-driven roller-skating spectacular of cult 80s classic Xanadu, starring Australian icon Olivia Newton-John.

Newcastle Pride and Queer & Now will bring the community together in a show of pride along the Newcastle Foreshore on 18 February with the colourful, community-based outdoor parade from 10am, while Newcastle’s official WorldPride event will kick off from 6pm that night when Pink Salt serves up a signature culinary experience and entertainment extravaganza at The Station.

Locals who can’t make it to Sydney for Mardi Gras on 25 February will still be able to enjoy the glitz and glamour of the world-renowned parade thanks to City of Newcastle with (virtual) front row seats at the Parade in the Park watch party at Museum Park, while budding writers will have the chance to hone their voice at a free LGBTIQ+ writing workshop at Newcastle Library on 4 March.

Encouraging connection, collaboration and change will be the focus of a Pride Forum being held at Fort Scratchley on 17 March in conjunction with City of Newcastle, trans queer brains trust (tqbt) and ACON. The free networking and planning event will tap into the energy generated by WorldPride to discuss the social changes and action that matter to the LGBTIQ+ communities of Newcastle. The forum will also assist in progressing CN’s draft Local Social Strategy, which strives to create a socially just and inclusive place for all.

A more informal focus on inclusion among all ages will continue with Newcastle Library’s regular family-friendly Rainbow Storytime events led by Newcastle’s own Timberlina, with upcoming sessions on 25 March, 22 April and 20 May.

City of Newcastle will also fly the Progress Pride Flag above City Hall for the duration of Sydney WorldPride 2023, which runs from 17 February to 5 Mach.

For more details on all the events happening in Newcastle visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/

New ambulance station for Illawarra community

Frontline emergency care for residents in the Illawarra has received a major boost, with a new ambulance station set to be built near Unanderra.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the announcement forms part of a record $1.76 billion NSW Government investment which will transform NSW Ambulance services over the next four years with more than 2,000 extra staff, including 1,858 paramedics, and 30 new ambulance stations across NSW.

“Ambulance services are experiencing unprecedented demand and this new station will not only keep us ahead of the curve but provide our hardworking paramedics with first-class facilities as they assist communities in their time of need,” Mr Hazzard said. 

“The NSW Government is investing in ambulance stations right across the state to ensure communities continue to receive emergency care when they need it, no matter where they live.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos welcomed the news which he said will ensure the local community has improved access to emergency care when and where they need it most.

“The investment will also bring more jobs to the local area as well as providing a better working environment for our paramedics who are doing their utmost to serve communities across the state,” Mr Poulos said.

“The new station will feature internal parking for emergency ambulance vehicles, vehicle wash facilities, staff parking, multipurpose spaces to support staff education and rest, logistics and storage spaces, an office area for administration as well as staff amenities.”

NSW Ambulance identifies suitable locations to improve ambulance response times for patients using best practice modelling software that maps Triple Zero call demands.

The new ambulance station at Unanderra is being delivered as part of the $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure program, which is also delivering a new ambulance station at Warilla. Both new ambulance stations are in addition to the existing station in Wollongong and the new ambulance station underway for Fairy Meadow which will be located on the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

Minister Hazzard said the exact location for the new ambulance station at Unanderra will be determined once further planning is completed which includes working with key stakeholders to identify a suitable site.

“We will shortly commence a process to identify potential sites for the new ambulance station. This process will ensure we best meet the needs of the Illawarra community and our emergency staff and is currently underway for the Warilla location.”

The NSW Government is committed to increasing the capacity of NSW Ambulance. In total, more than $1 billion is being invested across three major NSW Ambulance infrastructure programs, with more than 100 projects announced since 2014.

The NSW Government’s $1 billion investment in NSW Ambulance infrastructure includes:

· Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy ($184 million) – 19 projects – 18 of these projects have been completed to date with one due for completion in late 2023. The program began in 2014

· NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program ($615.5 million) 30 projects – eight of which are in early planning. The program was announced in 2022-23 State Budget.

· RAIR program Stage 1 & 2 ($232 million) – 54 projects – 39 of these have been completed, with 15 underway. The program began in 2015.

Creating strong communities of the future

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will commit a further $90 million to the Stronger Country Communities Fund to continue building the projects that make regional NSW the best place to live, work and raise a family.

In the past five years, the Stronger Country Communities Fund has delivered more than 2,500 grassroots projects benefitting every regional LGA in the State.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the further $90 million commitment would take the total investment in the fund to three quarters of a billion dollars.

“Everywhere I go, people tell me about the big difference these Stronger Country Communities projects make to everyday life – whether it’s a new skate park that kids love, a new community hall, upgrades to the main street or programs that make living in the regions even better,” Mr Toole said.

“We aren’t just building playgrounds and sporting ovals, we’re building communities to be proud of.

“It’s the little things that make a big difference to the way we all work, live, play and do business, and the NSW Liberals and Nationals  Government is  delivering the projects that make a difference to everyday life right across regional NSW, from Byron Bay to Bega to Broken Hill.

“Not only do these projects improve life for those who already call regional NSW home, but they also act as a major drawcard for those visiting to consider staying longer term.”

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure in the regions.

For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/sccf

Ugly black nationalism finds its voice

As radical as the communist Australian Greens are, even their extremism isn’t quite radical enough for black nationalist activist Lidia Thorpe.

The woman who called Queen Elizabeth a coloniser and declared war on non-indigenous people on Australia Day sensationally quit the Greens this week, less than a year after she was elected as a Greens senator for Victoria, so she can pursue her ‘black sovereignty’ agenda without Adam Bandt holding her leash. The Greens were already heading down this road with their so-called ‘blak’ faction and attacks on the Australian flag. They just weren’t doing it fast enough for Lidia Thorpe.

Hers is an ugly agenda with no consideration for the history of this great nation, which is shared by all Australians regardless of race. She won’t stop – and the Greens won’t stop – until non-indigenous Australians are second-class citizens in their own land paying rent for the privilege of living here.

Lidia Thorpe represents the very worst of identity and grievance politics in Australia, but in one way she is doing us a favour – showing us that a voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution is only the first step in permanently dividing our country by race.

NEW EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SITE FOR NEWCASTLE 

NSW Telco Authority has delivered 300 new and enhanced radio communications sites across the state to expand the Public Safety Network (PSN) under the NSW Government’s $1.4 billion Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP). 

This expansion includes a new radio communications site at Cooks Hill in Newcastle. 

NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kylie De Courteney said the new site delivered by NSW Telco Authority was vital to ongoing community safety.

“These sites provide emergency services organisations with a single, integrated network on which to communicate,” Ms De Courteney said.

“It is technology that saves lives and by expanding the footprint of this critical infrastructure we are ensuring frontline responders have a more reliable network to help keep people and places safe.

“PSN sites were crucial in protecting communities and keeping emergency services connected during the widespread 2022 flood events and the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.”

NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kylie De Courteney said the network expansion was the biggest investment in critical communications infrastructure by the NSW Government in a generation.

“The NSW Government is investing $1.4 billion to expand the PSN to better protect communities, including delivering 675 new and enhanced radio communications sites,” Ms De Courteney said.

“During an emergency every second counts, and the new radio sites will make it easier for our local emergency services to communicate when it matters most.”


Next to Australia’s triple zero emergency hotline, the PSN is the most critical communications network in NSW, fielding an average of around 1.3 million radio communications calls per month.

Belmont 16s technology ensures members are OK2PLAY 

Belmont 16s continue to put members first with the recent implementation of the OK2PLAY? player protection platform. In what has been a well-received introduction, the Australian developed technology ensures patrons can reach out for immediate support within the popular venue.

Rather than a reliance on patrons approaching staff directly to self-report, the OK2PLAY? technology provides prompts located across the venue where patrons are asked, “Are you OK2PLAY?” Patrons can respond by using a QR code or pressing a button.

If a patron responds “No” this immediately activates a response with senior staff who can then initiate a discreet connection with the member to ensure immediate support is provided within the venue and ongoing care is provided by linking the individual with appropriate services.

Belmont 16s CEO, Scott Williams, explained, “It is important to us to increase the opportunities to have conversations with our community around player and staff protection. We have taken the time to thoroughly train our team and create clear communications in rolling out OK2PLAY? As it is a serious topic that is essential in our industry we found that dedicating the time has ensured a smooth and seamless launch.”

“Our members have been appreciative of the initiative, including those who have not required help. They appreciate that we are taking steps to normalise the conversation around mental health and wellbeing. Our team feels OK2PLAY? has armed them with the ability and confidence to provide even more customer care in their roles. Overall, the introduction of OK2PLAY? has increased both staff and
patron awareness around a somewhat difficult topic for many and allows us to support our staff, patrons and community both within and beyond our venue,” he continued.

Since launching in late 2022, the OK2PLAY? technology has asked over 145,000 people if they are OK and provided access to ongoing support services as needed.

The technology continues to roll out across New South Wales in coming months.

MINISTER NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCE OF BREAKING A DEAL

Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, has provided further comment on the Greens’ support for a disallowance motion relating to superannuation fund annual member meeting notices.

“Last year, the Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones reached an agreement with the Greens to include within the Financial Accountability Regime million dollar fines for executives who breach their accountability obligations,” Senator McKim said.

“But within 24 hours of that agreement being made public, the minister reneged.”

“After a day of shameless lobbying by the banks, the minister went back on his word.”

“Today, the Greens have demonstrated that there are consequences for this.”

“If the government expects the Greens to be reasonable, then they need to demonstrate that we can work with them in good faith.”

“One way to demonstrate this would be to come good on what was agreed to and include million-dollar fines for dodgy bankers in the Financial Accountability Regime.”

“The government also needs to get on with fixing up the mess that is superannuation annual member meeting notices.”

“They need to bring forward legislation or regulation requiring APRA to publish relevant expenditure by all superannuation funds, for political purposes and for profit, all in the one place.”

“This would allow consumers to easily make a comparison between their fund and other funds.”

DODGY DONATION LAWS A SAFE BET FOR GAMBLING INDUSTRY

News that the Communications Minister, who oversees the Interactive Gambling Act and was previously the shadow minister in charge of online betting, had dinner with and received $19,000 in donations from Sportsbet on the eve of last year’s election shows she should not be in charge of any gambling policy and that donations from the gambling industry should be banned.

Because our donations laws are so weak Minister Rowland has not broken any laws but it is clearly untenable for her to remain as gambling regulator when she has such a cosy relationship with online betting agencies.

It’s long past time to reform political donations laws, and the Greens are committed to pushing Labor to get it done.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Democracy, Senator Larissa Waters said:
“It is clearly untenable for the Minister to remain as gambling regulator when she has such a cosy relationship with betting agencies, despite our donations laws being so weak that they have not been broken.

“These donations are an insult to voters and gambling reform advocates across Australia. Both the major parties accept huge sums of money from big industries, and their policies show it. 

“Weak donation laws mean a $10,000 donation from Sportsbet to the shadow minister responsible for online betting doesn’t have to be disclosed. More than a third of all donations to parties stay hidden from public view. 

“Sportsbet also spent nearly $9,000 for a campaign dinner and access to the shadow Minister – no requirement to disclose that one either. These donations are not made because Sportsbet loves democracy, they are made for access and to influence policy.

“We urgently need to ban donations from dirty industries like the gambling sector, and tighten disclosure laws so people can see in real time exactly who is pulling the strings of the parties they are voting for. 

“Now that Minister Rowland is subject to the Ministerial Code of Conduct, there will be more scrutiny of any conflicts of interest arising from donations.  We need strong codes to ensure that ALL politicians are acting with integrity at all times.

“The Greens have been campaigning for decades to clean up our democracy. It’s time for Labor to come to the table and work with us to ensure politicians work in the public interest, not the interest of their donor mates.”

ALBO’S PEP-11 POSITION IS A COP OUT

In the lead up to the last federal election Anthony Albanese told voters “a Labor Government that I lead will rule out PEP-11” and said “our position on PEP-11 is clear, it’s a bad idea and only a Labor Government will stop it, no ifs- no buts” and even reiterated to parliament that the project “should be consigned to the dustbin of history, where it belongs. This is a complete no-brainer.”

Now the Morrison Government’s decision to stop PEP-11 looks set to be overturned by the Federal Court, the Greens call on the Albanese Government to walk the talk on PEP-11. 

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“Anthony Albanese talked a big game in opposition about stopping the toxic offshore oil and gas drilling project PEP-11, but contrary to his election promise all we’ve had this week from the Prime Minister is excuses. 

“The Prime Minister’s claim that PEP-11’s fate is now a matter of regulatory procedure is an absolute cop out; his government has the power to legally kill the project! 

“Anthony Albanese could at least personally assure the communities that rallied to stop PEP-11 that he will fight to uphold his election promise. 

“This is a serious test for the Prime Minister: is he going to stay true to his words on stopping this grossly unpopular climate bomb or is he going to pander to fossil fuel companies and hide behind excuses of procedural propriety? 

“My Fight for Australia’s Coastline Bill will be brought on for debate in the Senate today. If passed this Bill will protect the PEP-11 permit area from oil and gas drilling forever. It would also set a precedent for permanently stopping destructive offshore oil and gas exploration on our oceans. If the Albanese Government wants to avoid shooting itself in the foot on PEP-11, it should have the sense and decency to back this Bill.” 

NSW Greens spokesperson for mining, coal and gas, Sue Higgins MLC said:

“PEP-11 is an unreasonable and dangerous project that is universally opposed by communities from Sydney’s Northern Beaches through to Newcastle.

“While Captain’s calls on resource projects are not acceptable legally, neither are projects that are socially, environmentally and economically reckless and not in the public interest. 

“Once the Court proceedings are settled, these bully gas corporations must accept that there is no place for their project and take the next step and withdraw their plans and exploration applications.

“The NSW community has been vocally opposing this project for years and it’s time that they are assured by all governments that it will never go ahead.”