School funding inequity still the elephant in the room

The Greens say an interim report by the Productivity Commission into the National Schools Reform Agreement (NSRA) obscures the fact that persistent funding inequity is the main reason why the Agreement is failing to meet its goals.

It’s projected that, until the end of the decade, private schools will be funded over 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), while public schools won’t even reach 91%. On average, public school students are missing out on $1800 in funding every year under the NSRA.

The SRS represents the minimum funding level required for students to achieve the minimum standard.

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

“The elephant in the room in the national debate on school and student performance is the huge funding gap that exists between the haves and have- nots in our education system.

“If you’re not talking about persistent school funding inequity then you’re not talking seriously about improving outcomes for our students.

“While funding falls outside the scope of the Productivity Commission’s report there can be no doubt from its conclusions that the deliberate underfunding of Australia’s public schools is undermining our children’s education and driving the teacher shortage crisis.

“Inequity in our education system will not be fixed by tinkering at the edges of the next National School Reform Agreement. As negotiations between the Federal and State Governments ramp up, we need to see a wholesale shift away from funding expensive private schools, and reinvestment in our public education system.

“The Productivity Commission is right to highlight the massive administrative workload faced by teachers. We need better conditions, better pay, and better career progression opportunities for public school teachers.

“If we gave less of our money to elite private schools so they can build extra boat sheds, and more to underfunded public schools, we can close the funding gap and lift standards across the board.”

City pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

A seven-gun salute, illumination of the City Hall Clock Tower and a condolence book signing are among the events planned by the City of Newcastle to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Fort Scratchley Historical Society will fire a salute – one for each decade of the Queen’s reign – at 10am on Thursday 22 September as part of the National Day of Mourning.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with Dean Katherine Bowyer at Christ Church Cathedral ahead of the memorial service this evening


The clock tower at City Hall on King Street is also set to turn regal purple, while the City Administration Centre will open from 9am to 12pm for those wishing to sign the condolence book.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen encouraged the community to attend the events during the National Day of Mourning.

“Queen Elizabeth II has left an indelible mark on our city and throughout the world, which can be seen in the outpouring of emotion following her passing,” Councillor Clausen said.

“We invite the community to pay tribute to the Queen at these events, and we will continue to fly the city’s flags at half-mast until further notice as a sign of respect.”

City of Newcastle will also host this month’s Ordinary Council Meeting in the former chamber at City Hall in recognition of Queen Elizabeth II’s first trip to Newcastle in 1954.

During that visit, she toured the city with the Duke of Edinburgh, arriving by train at Newcastle Station and being officially welcomed at City Hall before visiting No.1 Sportsground, BHP Steelworks, Stockton, and Newcastle Airport.

Queen Elizabeth II returned to Newcastle in 1970 to open the International Sports Centre and visited again seven years later to open Australia’s first purpose-built regional gallery, the Newcastle Art Gallery, on 11 March 1977.

Her final visit occurred in May 1988 when she opened Queens Wharf, a project spearheaded by former Lord Mayor Joy Cummings.

City of Newcastle will close several of its facilities on the National Day of Mourning, including all libraries, apart from the City Administration Centre, which is open from 9am to 12pm for condolence book signings; the Newcastle Museum; and Beresfield Childcare Centre. Fort Scratchley is set to close for the remainder of the day following the seven-gun salute.

Elsewhere across the city, Port of Newcastle will support the commemorative efforts by lighting up Dyke Point from 5:30pm to midnight during the National Day of Mourning while the Crystalbrook Kingsley hotel will turn purple as a mark of respect.

The community can also attend a memorial service and lay floral tributes at Christ Church Cathedral from 7:30pm tonight (Wednesday 14 September).

For those unable to sign the condolence book on Thursday 22 September, the book will remain at the City Administration Centre until Friday 23 September and can be signed Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 5pm.

Newcastle’s largest playground at heart of Harbour Foreshore Masterplan

Foreshore Park will become home to the city’s largest playground under a draft masterplan for Newcastle’s iconic harbourside precinct, which will be considered by Councillors later this month.

The flagship Livvi’s Place inclusive regional playground and waterplay area form the centrepiece of City of Newcastle’s Harbour Foreshore Masterplan, which is designed to create new connections between the city and the harbour’s edge around Foreshore Park and along the Joy Cummings Promenade.

An aerial overview render of the precinct covered by the Harbour Foreshore Masterplan.

The Masterplan also includes increasing the amount of shaded canopy within Foreshore Park by 250% from 2,800 sqm to 9,800 sqm.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the draft masterplan will help realise the full potential of one of Newcastle’s most significant open areas and premier event spaces.

“City of Newcastle has worked closely with community representatives on this shared vision for the iconic Harbour Foreshore precinct, which will become a drawcard destination for locals and visitors from across the region,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We have listened to the views of our community and incorporated feedback into the detail of this draft masterplan, including moving the playground to the north-west corner of the park adjacent to the parking area and close to accessible parking spaces, as well as provision for a multi-purpose skating, scootering and performing arts area at the base of the Shortland Lawn amphitheatre. The existing Sandhills Community Garden will also remain in their current location.”

A view from the Shortland Lawn amphitheatre, which includes provision for a multi-purpose skating, scootering and performing arts area.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said green open spaces and connections along with an enhanced urban canopy will make Foreshore Park an even more inviting public place for all Novocastrians and our visitors.

“Extensive tree planting and landscaping throughout the precinct will allow City of Newcastle to fulfill its commitments to significantly increase shade canopy and create greener public spaces, while an expansive cultural walk around Foreshore Park will link back to Newcastle’s rich Indigenous culture and heritage.”

Other features include upgraded amenities and improvements along Wharf Road and Tug Berth Lane, including an iconic destination sign and grassed areas where people can enjoy the spectacle of a working harbour, which will transform this area into a world-class harbourside esplanade.

A tree-lined separated cycleway from Argyle Street to Nobbys Beach and improved cycle crossings at key nodes will also link the Harbour Foreshore to the wider city centre cycleway network.

Concept design for part of the Livvi’s Place inclusive regional playground – these concepts may change during the detailed design process.

Concept designs for the accessible playground are included in the draft Masterplan. The fully-fenced space will feature a distinctly Newcastle character and include junior and toddler areas, water-based play, an industrial-themed elevated playground structure, maritime inspired swing sets, accessible flying fox and natured-based play areas, connected via a series of accessible paths, seating, gardens and lawns.

It will be developed in collaboration with Variety – the Children’s Charity, who have provided funding to assist with the design phase of the playground, while City of Newcastle has also secured more than $1 million from the NSW Government to assist with its construction including $730,000 from two rounds of the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund and $300,000 from Everyone Can Play and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

Countdown to the start of work on Great Western Highway section upgrade

The countdown is on to the start of work on the Little Hartley to Lithgow section of the Great Western Highway upgrade with Ausconnex awarded the contract to carry out early works at Coxs River Road.
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said a new-look interchange at Coxs River Road, with a road bridge over the upgraded highway will be the first phase of the west section of the upgrade and is set to transform travel in and around the western base of the Blue Mountains.
 
“The Great Western Highway upgrade is a transformative project that will deliver safer and more efficient journeys for the thousands of people who travel through the mountains every day,” Mr Toole said.
 
“A better road over the mountains has been talked about for years – and we’re making it a reality with the project on track to see shovels in the ground early next year.
 
“The NSW Government is working closely with the local community on the final design to deliver a better, safer highway for all users.”
 
Later this month, work will start at Coxs River Road and involve an upgrade of about 2.4 kilometres of existing highway at Little Hartley to create a four-lane divided carriageway.
 
A new interchange will carry local traffic over the new highway and work will also include realigning parts of the existing highway to create a local service road and upgrades to the intersections with Browns Gap Road and Baaners Lane.
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said early work relocating utility assets is expected to get under way soon.
 
“The upgrade will undoubtedly make a tangible difference to daily life for the thousands of people living in and travelling through the Blue Mountains on the highway,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“I’m excited that we have awarded the early works contract for this section and we will soon be a step closer to our first sod turn on this game changing project.
 
“As part of early works around four kilometres of overhead power lines and underground assets will be moved so we can build the new highway.
 
“The contract for the major work is currently out to tender and we’re aiming to award in late 2022, with work scheduled to start in early 2023.”
 
The Australian Government and NSW Government are investing more than $4.5 billion towards duplicating the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow.
 
For more information, visit the Transport for NSW website.
 

Live Traffic NSW turns 12 with big plans for the future

The NSW Government is embarking on an ambitious plan to cover every road across the state through Live Traffic NSW as the platform celebrates 12 years helping drivers get from A to B safely and on time.
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the milestone is a significant reminder of the work undertaken so far to establish a network that provides real-time traffic data, so motorists can plan their daily commutes.
 
“Live Traffic NSW has played a critical role over the past 12 years in providing real time information to help people move safely around state roads,” Ms Ward said.
 
“We update Live Traffic NSW 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as we monitor and manage the 18,000-kilometre NSW state road network.
 
“This includes publishing live shots from 155 cameras every minute, and details of 500 incidents per day on average.
 
“This has helped state road users and now we’re planning to gather incident data on every road in the state by 2024.
 
“This update will mean Live Traffic NSW will be able to inform drivers across the state of the best route to take anywhere, any time.”
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said one of the most important things people need to be able to rely on is accurate and timely road information to make travel easier and safer.
 
“With a record of up to 660,000 visits a day on the Live Traffic NSW website and apps during the natural disaster events of 2021, a spike in traffic 33 times higher than usual, demand has never been higher for timely and accurate information, and we expect this demand to increase as more councils come on board,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“Thanks to the upgrade the NSW Government is rolling out, Live Traffic will be a one stop shop bringing all of the state’s traffic information into one central hub.
 
“Providing a better service for users will be valuable during emergencies like floods or fires, with more detailed information available to help protect communities and save lives.”
 
All councils in NSW will be given free access to OneRoad, the new backend platform that powers Live Traffic NSW. Data input through OneRoad will also be available on the Transport for NSW Open Data Hub for third-party apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze and TomTom.
 
New information from 22 LGAs, most from regional Northern NSW, will be available on Live Traffic NSW and third-party apps from October.
 
LGAs will continue to come on board in stages, with priority given to regional councils most impacted by bushfires and floods. All 128 LGAs across the state will be given the opportunity to use OneRoad by 2024.

Bengaluru route takes off thanks to Aviation Attraction Fund

A new Qantas route between Sydney and Bengaluru has taken to the skies today thanks to the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund, marking the first direct connection between Australia and Southern India by any airline.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the new service will deliver more than 44,000 inbound international seats to Sydney up to 30 June 2023.

“This is the second international service announced through our $60 million airline war chest, which is aimed at turbocharging the State’s tourism pandemic recovery,” Mr Kean said.

“As a direct flight to India, there is potential to support more than 100 jobs and generate more than $19 million in overnight spending for the NSW visitor economy.”

Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said that India is a significant trade partner for NSW with huge potential for future growth.

“This partnership between Qantas and the NSW Government, through the Aviation Attraction Fund, opens up a new direct route between India and NSW, as well as fantastic opportunities for the NSW visitor economy,” Mr Franklin said. 

“In 2019 India was the fastest growing market to NSW. We welcomed 175,000 visitors, with travellers spending an estimated $444 million. In July 2022, India was the third largest source of visitors to NSW, with those numbers expected to surge in the coming months due to pent-up demand.

“Our airports are the gateway to our state, so supporting the return of airlines to them through the Aviation Attraction Fund is key to achieving our goal of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said this new direct flight route solidifies Sydney’s standing as a global city.

“This direct route will be a benefit to our rich multicultural society, particularly the Indian Diaspora, which represents Australia’s second-largest country of birth,” Mr Coure said.

“It has also come at an excellent time, with Diwalli celebrations happening next month—many will be looking to head to India and even come to NSW to join family and friends for this major cultural celebration.”

Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said this new route would provide greater connectivity between the two nations with both the outbound and inbound inaugural flights between Sydney and Bengaluru sold out in all cabins.

“The addition of Bengaluru to our route map deepens our ties with India and follows the launch of direct services from Australia to Delhi last year which have also proven popular,” Mr David said.

“Qantas is now the only airline offering direct flights between Australia’s two largest cities and the north and south of India.”

The new flights will offer corporate and leisure travellers a non-stop flight to the city, with connections to other destinations beyond Bengaluru.

Widely regarded as India’s Silicon Valley, many Australian and global fintech organisations have established major operations in Bengaluru.

QF67 will cut nearly three hours off the current fastest travel time between the two cities and significantly boost connectivity between India and NSW.

Qantas will fly an A330 aircraft from Sydney to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport four times per week on a Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Aviation Attraction Fund, managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, is open until 30 June 2023. For more information or to submit an application visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/aviation-attraction 

Health Records Broken for all the Wrong Reasons

Under Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals and Nationals, people in NSW have to wait longer to get an ambulance, longer to be treated in an emergency department and longer for important non-urgent surgeries.


This is the scathing picture presented by the latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) released today, shining a light on 12 years of under investment in the NSW health system under this Liberal and National Government.

Across the state, 76,117 patients left emergency without completing treatment – or one in 10. This is the highest number on record and a 68 per cent jump in just three years. To add insult to injury, one in five of those who left, had to re-present within three days.

If a patient did wait in emergency to seek treatment, one in 10 emergency department patients spent an astonishing 21 hours and 16 minutes in the waiting room of an emergency department – again the longest on record.

Almost half (48.4 per cent) of patients with the highest category emergency – patients who require immediate help – did not start treatment on time, again the worst result on record. For all emergency department presentations, four in 10 (38.2 per cent) did not start on time.

These figures show the dire state of our health system. It’s not fair on our hardworking healthcare professionals to have to manage a system that is stretched to its limits.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said:

This is a sobering read, that is a wake-up call for every single political leader and political party in our state. The latest BHI data shows a system that is failing.

“Under Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals and Nationals we have longer waiting times, a stretched hospital system, and over worked front line health workers.

“A world class health system is not one where people choose to leave emergency departments before they get treated or when people have to wait almost 24 hours to be seen.

“Our hospitals need more resources, our health staff need more support and the people of NSW deserve better.”

NSW Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“This is a damning report on the health crisis right across NSW.

“Twelve years of understaffing and under resourcing our health and hospital system means communities now wait longer than ever before for an ambulance to arrive, longer to get treated at their local emergency department and longer to get essential surgery.

“When more than 76,000 people walk out of their local emergency department before they get treated highlights the extent of the crisis.

“We have a Government who has been focused on cutting ribbons instead of ensuring our hospitals and health services are safely staffed and resourced.” 

Australia-Vietnam Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Australia and Vietnam today reaffirmed their strong partnership during the Australia-Vietnam Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canberra.

The visit, by Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, is the first visit to Australia by a Vietnamese minister since 2019.

Australia and Vietnam are strong partners and friends. Our relationship is underpinned by close economic and trade links, our growing peacekeeping relationship, and longstanding people-to-people ties.

We share a commitment to ASEAN centrality and a strategic interest in maintaining a region which is peaceful, stable and prosperous, in which sovereignty is respected.

Australia and Vietnam have supported each other throughout the pandemic. In this spirit, Australia will provide Vietnam with a further 4.2 million adult Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses, in addition to the 22.2 million doses delivered to date.

Foreign Minister Son and I had warm and productive discussions about how we can further expand our Strategic Partnership. We also discussed ways to strengthen our climate change cooperation as both countries work towards meeting our commitments to net zero emissions by 2050.

Australia and Vietnam will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. Throughout 2023 we will reflect on our relationship and look forward to what we can achieve together.

Greens call on Labor to shut down seismic blasting off WA coast

The Greens call on the Labor Government to immediately shut down plans for seismic blasting that could impact the Mermaid Reef and Rowley Shoals Marine Parks – which the Australian Government and the West Australian Government recognise as ‘one of the most remote and pristine marine areas in the world’. 

“Humpback whales, hammerhead sharks, turtles, 200 species of coral, 600 species of fish, and the livelihoods of small business owners could all be impacted by reckless seismic blasting in this area. 

“It’d be absolutely hypocritical of Labor not to shut down plans that could negatively impact these precious marine ecosystems and the lives and livelihoods that depend on them. 

“Anthony Albanese promised he’d stop exploration associated with the PEP-11 project on Australia’s east coast because he thought it was a ‘bad idea’ and it’d be completely contradictory for him not to do the same here in WA.

“Blasting marine life with seismic shockwaves is the reality of what happens when our Government opens up our ocean for more oil and gas – and let’s not forget that Labor has just opened up 46,758 square kilometres of new ocean acreage for fossil fuel companies to exploit.”

Greens spokesperson for resources and Yamatji Noongar woman, Senator Dorinda Cox said:

“Successive governments continue to damage First Nations culture and heritage in favour of big corporations.

“Traditional Owners’ culture and spirituality is intrinsically connected to Sea Country, we shouldn’t be selling it to multinational coal and gas companies for private profit.

“If Labor wants to meet their own emissions target, we cannot keep opening up new coal and gas.

“Gas has no part to play in a green future. We need cleaner, greener, renewable energy sources and investment in a clean energy export industry.”

Greens call for National Cabinet to extend Pandemic Leave Payments

Greens social services spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice, has urged the Federal Government to extend Pandemic Leave Payments beyond September at tomorrow’s national cabinet meeting. 

Senator Rice said:

“As much as we all wish it wasn’t, the pandemic is still with us, and national cabinet still has COVID isolation requirements in place.

“The state and territory premiers have called for pandemic leave payments to continue, and so we know that if national cabinet doesn’t grant this necessary extension, it’s Anthony Albanese who’s the blocker.

“If Albanese is happy to give $244b in tax cuts for the rich, he has no excuse to claim the federal government can’t hold up their end of the 50/50 bargain with the states to make sure that people who need to isolate or quarantine are financially supported.

“Amid the cost of living crisis, a pandemic that is still with us, and the fuel excise due to end this month too, people need support. 

“The government can’t ask people to follow public health advice and then completely undermine that message by taking away the financial help they need to isolate, like the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment and the Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency. 

“If national cabinet does not agree to the extension tomorrow, I will be moving an urgent disallowance in the next sitting of Parliament, to ensure that the crisis payment remains in place for people on income support who are forced to isolate or quarantine.”