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NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION

The Albanese Government will introduce legislation this week to establish a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission.

This shows the Government is delivering on its promise to tackle corruption and restore trust and integrity to federal politics.

The Government has committed $262 million over four years for the establishment and ongoing operation of the Commission.

This funding will ensure the Commission has the staff, capabilities and capacity to properly consider referrals and allegations, conduct timely investigations and undertake corruption prevention and education activities.

The Albanese Government’s National Anti-Corruption Commission will investigate serious or systemic corrupt conduct across the entire federal public sector.

It will be built on the following design principles:

Broad jurisdiction: The Commission will have broad jurisdiction to investigate serious or systemic corrupt conduct across the Commonwealth public sector by ministers, parliamentarians and their staff, statutory officer holders, employees of all government entities and government contractors.
Independent: The Commission will operate independent of government, with discretion to commence inquiries into serious or systemic corruption on its own initiative or in response to referrals, including from whistleblowers and the public.
Oversight: The Commission will be overseen by a statutory Parliamentary Joint Committee, empowered to require the Commission to provide information about its work.
Retrospective powers: The Commission will have the power to investigate allegations of serious or systemic corruption that occurred before or after its establishment.
Public hearings: The Commission will have the power to hold public hearings in exceptional circumstances and where it is in the public interest to do so.
Findings: The Commission will be empowered to make findings of fact, including findings of corrupt conduct, and refer findings that could constitute criminal conduct to the Australian Federal Police or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
Procedural fairness: The Commission will operate with procedural fairness and its findings will be subject to judicial review.

The legislation also provides strong protections for whistleblowers and exemptions for journalists to protect the identity of sources.

Following the introduction of the Bill the Government will propose the establishment of a joint select committee to examine its provisions.

We look forward to support from across the Parliament for a National Anti-Corruption Commission with real power and authority.

Australian Greens express their solidarity with the women of Iran

The Australian Greens remain deeply concerned at the recent crackdown on dissent in Iran, with official reports of at least 22 protesters killed and more than 1,000 Iranians detained.

Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Two weeks ago, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody. Mahsa had been arrested by Iran’s morality police for failing to comply with a new national code requiring women to wear a hijab. She was allegedly beaten and died from her injuries.

“Following Mahsa Amini’s death, women across Iran have taken to the streets to stand up to the oppressive regime, demanding freedoms that have been denied to them.

“In a country with harsh penalties for public protest, this is an incredible show of bravery and solidarity. Human Rights Watch has described the scale of protest, particularly on issues of women’s choice and police accountability, as unprecedented.

“The gendered impacts of authoritarian rule, whether by the Iranian government, the Taliban, Russia or others, cannot be ignored.

“The Australian Greens are in solidarity with the women of Iran. We will always protect the right to protest. And we will always fight for women’s rights to choose their dress, their partner, their religion, their career, and what they do with their bodies.”

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Peace said:

“The Iranian authorities’ suppression of the rights of women, LGBTIQA+ people, and other minorities, including the Bahai, must end. People should not have to protest to protect their basic human rights.

“The Australian Greens are calling upon the international community to condemn the ongoing abuses of freedom and human rights. Those responsible for Mahsa Amini’s death must be held accountable through a criminal investigation.

“The Australian Government should meet with the Iranian ambassador as soon as possible to raise these concerns directly.”

Senator Steele-John’s response to NDIA Leadership changes

After years of campaigning with a united voice of Nothing About Us Without Us, the disability community and Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John welcome the appointment of more disabled people into leadership positions in the NDIA.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Disabled Person and Australian Greens spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services said:

“Today, like many in our community, I am feeling relief that finally, we have some more disabled people in leadership positions within the National Disability Insurance Agency.

“Many are pleased to see Kurt Fearnley take on the Chair of the Board for the NDIA. His experience as a physically disabled person will add a great perspective, and I hope that he continues to listen to people with a range of disabilities and advocate for major, transformative change in the culture and operations of the NDIA.

“The appointment of the new CEO is progress, it’s good to have a woman with a background in public service take on the role. I see it as a missed opportunity to have a disabled person as CEO.

“It remains that two of the three leadership roles; the Minister, the CEO and the Chair, who make decisions every day that impact the lives of disabled people do not have lived experience of being a disabled person.

“The Australian Greens continue to call on the new leadership team to make big changes to the culture of the NDIA, ensuring that the scheme is no longer one of fear for participants. Disabled people, wherever they are across the country, regardless of how old they are, must be able to get the supports they need through the NDIS.

Newcastle leading race to host a FIFA Women’s World Cup team

Newcastle’s premier No. 2 Sportsground has been short-listed as a dedicated team base camp training site during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

More than 30 nations will be travelling to Australia and New Zealand for the month-long tournament kicking off on 19 July through to 20 August 2023, and Newcastle’s No. 2 Sportsground could become a home-away-from-home for one of the teams.

For the first time in FIFA Women’s World Cup history, 35 short-listed team base camp options are available for selection by Participating Member Associations to be used as a dedicated training site during the competition for their entire delegation.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle has cemented its reputation as a major sporting and events host destination and would jump at the chance to welcome a FIFA Women’s World Cup team.

“City of Newcastle is committed to elevating women in sport and we are excited at the prospect of welcoming some of the world’s best female footballers to Newcastle in their preparation for a month of elite and exciting international competition,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle’s No. 2 Sportsground is a world-class facility, home to the A-league Womens’ Jets and regularly welcomes elite-level sporting fixtures like the USA national soccer team who trained on the grounds in preparation for their games against the Matildas last year.

“In 2019, No. 2 Sportsground also played host to a women’s international rugby game between the Wallaroos and Japan.

“As the world’s biggest women’s sporting event, it is expected that more than one billion people across the world will tune in to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and City of Newcastle would be thrilled to welcome one of the teams for their preparations.

“Hosting a team would provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase Newcastle’s broader attractions to players and their large support contingent whilst offering invaluable flow-on effects for the city’s local economy.

“In the event that Newcastle is selected by FIFA as a team base camp, City of Newcastle will work closely with impacted user groups.”

FIFA are expected to confirm team base camps by 15 December 2022.

City of Newcastle presents vision for sustainable waste future

Summerhill Waste Management Centre will be transformed into an innovative regional recovery hub under a 20-year vision to reduce waste, increase recycling rates, strengthen the economy and create new jobs in Newcastle.

The vision has been outlined in City of Newcastle’s (CN) draft Our Sustainable Waste Strategy, which will be tabled at tomorrow’s Council meeting ahead of a proposed six-week public exhibition period.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said developing a sustainable solution for waste was crucial for the future of our planet, our people and our prosperity, while also ensuring we’re able to manage the waste generation associated with ongoing population growth.

“During the next 20 years, Newcastle’s population is expected to grow by more than 15 per cent, which in turn will lead to an increase of almost 18 per cent in waste generation,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Our Sustainable Waste Strategy focusses on reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and changing the way we return, reuse, repair and recycle resources.

“Our draft Strategy will deliver significant benefits to the planet by preserving our finite resources and reducing emissions, while also protecting and creating new jobs in Newcastle and unlocking economic opportunities for local businesses and industry through the circular economy.”

“This is an important milestone for City of Newcastle in our journey to reduce our emissions, protect our environment and implement our commitments to sustainability under our adopted Climate Action Plan and Community Strategic Plan.”

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the Strategy proposes a mix of infrastructure and service provision supported by educational campaigns and includes construction of the planned material recovery facility and organics processing facility at Summerhill.

“We’re committed to increasing our capabilities for the recycling and reuse of products in order to meet the State and Federal targets of diverting 80% of recycling and 50% of food waste from landfill,” Cr Clausen said.

“This includes investing in the infrastructure needed at Summerhill to allow residents to easily increase their recycling rates, with a recent kerbside waste audit showing that more than half of the waste in our red-lidded bins has the potential to be recovered in an organics processing facility, which can then be processed into compost for reuse in agriculture, landscaping and home gardens.

“By capturing more of the value from more of our waste, we’re localising a new resource steam, which may have significant benefits to local businesses and industry, kick-starting a local circular economy.

Pending approval from Councillors at tomorrow night’s meeting, the draft Our Sustainable Waste Strategy will be placed on public exhibition for six weeks before returning to Council later this year for adoption.

Regional Roadshow gives cricket fans a taste of the World Cup action

From Woolgoolga to Murrumbateman, and everywhere in between, cricket fans in regional NSW will kick off the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with the help of a ‘biggest hit’ virtual reality experience.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the T20 World Cup Regional Roadshow will make 11 stops over the next month and include a range of interactive activities and displays, plus a number of prizes will be up for grabs.

“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport’s most exciting format and the Regional Roadshow gives cricket fans across the State the chance to experience the buzz of the tournament first-hand,” Mr Toole said.

“This is about giving cricket fans in the bush a taste of the action. With Sydney hosting six World Cup matches including a semi-final, the Regional Roadshow brings the action to fans who mightn’t otherwise be able to travel to matches and gives students a chance to get involved during the school holidays.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Regional Roadshow will start by taking the T20 World Cup silverware to northern NSW, and is an example of the benefits of the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.

“Regional NSW is the heartland of cricket in our State, and the Regional Roadshow has hit the sweet spot by providing entertainment and inspiration for bush cricket fans across NSW ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia,” Mr Henskens said.

“Despite having a smaller population than Sydney, regional NSW accounts for around half of the state’s registered players, more than 250 adolescent cricketers in the Cricket NSW pathway system, and produces over 50 per cent of NSW’s contracted professional cricketers.”

With less than a month to go until the first game of the tournament, the Regional Roadshow was launched to cricket fans at Curryfest in Woolgoolga today.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said with 16 national teams competing, the T20 World Cup would bring communities and cultures together through sport.

“Sport has the power to unite communities, and the T20 World Cup will bring fans from many cultural backgrounds together in a celebration of sport,” Mr Singh said.

“What better place to launch the Regional Roadshow and celebrate the amazing communities that make up the tournament than here at Curryfest.”

More information on the T20 World Cup can be found online.

Focus on first home buyers this Super Saturday

Around 700 homes are expected to go under the hammer on Super Saturday today as first home buyers will soon be able to choose between paying upfront stamp duty or a smaller annual property fee.

First Home Buyer Choice, which was announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget as part of the Government’s integrated $2.8 billion housing package, is scheduled to start in January.

On the busiest auction day of the year, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said eliminating the upfront cost of stamp duty can help first home buyers shave years off the time it takes to save a deposit.

“This is all about giving first home buyers the power to choose an alternative to upfront stamp duty,” Mr Kean said.

“We want to remove one of the barriers to entering the property market and help first home buyers realise the great Australian dream of home ownership sooner.”
Under the First Home Buyer Choice, eligible first home buyers will have the choice of a traditional upfront payment or a smaller annual property fee for properties with a purchase price of up to $1.5 million.

Around 84 per cent of residential property transactions across NSW are below the $1.5 million threshold.

First home buyers who opt into the property tax will pay an annual fee of $400 plus 0.3 per cent of the land value of the property for the time they occupy the property as their principal place of residence. The property will not be locked into the scheme if it is sold.

Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the stamp duty reform for first home buyers is part of a broader $2.8 billion housing package announced in the NSW Budget.

“The NSW Government is also looking at different ways we can boost housing supply,” Mr Roberts said.

“We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to initiatives that will help more people in NSW enter the market and own their own home.”

First Home Buyer grants, duty exemptions and concessions will continue alongside the stamp duty option.

In the year to 31 July, 2022, the NSW Government assisted first home buyers with $566,730,403 in grants, duty exemptions and concessions.

The top 20 suburbs according to benefits received:

Schofields
Liverpool
Wentworthville
North Kellyville
Box Hill
Parramatta
Austral
Mount Druitt
Campbelltown
Homebush
Wollongong
Blacktown
Penrith
Googong
Kogarah
Lidcombe
Gobbagombalin
Bankstown
Gosford
Kingswood

New $2.5M truck lifts rescue capability

A new $2.5 million aerial pumper has arrived at St Andrews Fire Station, one of 11 state-of-the-art fire trucks being rolled out across NSW.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke was joined by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Acting Commissioner Megan Stiffler to hand over the keys to the specialist Compressed Aerial Pumper (CAP).

“It’s important that our firefighters can keep up with the rapidly growing South Western Sydney skyline,” Ms Cooke said.

“This state-of-the-art appliance is equipped with a compressed air foam system and 2,000 litre water tank. Its ladder can extend 10 metres further than the old appliance, with a vertical reach of 24.5 metres and load bearing capacity of 330 kilograms.

“Stationing this truck at St Andrews increases the capability of our firefighters during large-scale fires such as those in shopping centres, industrial complexes and multi-storey residential buildings. It will also be used to undertake rescues and other non-fire operations including evacuations.”

The appliance is fitted with an intelligence-gathering thermal imaging camera which detects heat signals and transmits images from the scene of an emergency to critical locations like the FRNSW Command Centre.

Acting Commissioner Stiffler said the aerial fleet is being delivered to FRNSW as a result of a $37 million Budget commitment which ensures firefighters have the best tools to do their work and protect the irreplaceable.

“We are always on the lookout for new equipment and technologies to help our crews adapt to the changing needs of the communities they serve,” Acting Commissioner Stiffler said.

“The addition of the CAPs to the FRNSW fleet allows firefighters to quickly reach the scenes of multi-storey blazes and extinguish them more efficiently and effectively.”

FRNSW now boasts 25 aerial appliances in operation across NSW.

Wellbeing support to ensure student success

World-leading child health researchers have been tasked with looking at the mental health and wellbeing of NSW primary school students and helping to create innovative social and emotional support measures for our youngest learners.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will undertake the work and propose a suite of new social and wellbeing initiatives.

“The unprecedented challenges of the past few years have certainly been tough and we’ve heard from teachers and parents right across our state how they’ve noticed an impact on student capacity to focus, social interactions and general happiness,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This research is vital to find the best ways of providing support in our schools. We’re already reforming curriculums to give students the best educational start in life and wellbeing is another important component to help set them up for success.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said when it comes to student wellbeing, early identification and prevention is key.

“The NSW Government has invested significantly in health and wellbeing support, services and personnel in our high schools over the last few years, and we want that same high calibre of support in our primary schools,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We need to think holistically, whether that’s introducing student support officers into every primary school or helping schools make better choices about the wellbeing programs they offer to their students – there are endless possibilities.

“The work the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will be ground-breaking, and will help deliver a tool and evidence-base for us to choose between those possibilities, and support our schools, and our kids, in the best possible way.”

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor echoed the importance of prevention in the wellbeing of young people.

“This partnership will complement the NSW Government’s successful School Wellbeing Nurses Program and create a web of support around our students – ensuring they have the support and resources they need no matter their age or where they live,” Mrs Taylor said.

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s work will be completed by February 2023.

“We know how important it is to have a variety of supports for our children– one size doesn’t fit all,” said Sharon Goldfeld, Professor at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

“We’re excited to work with the NSW Government to support schools and kids right across NSW.”

Since 2015, the NSW Government has invested more than $290 million to provide mental health and wellbeing professionals and services in NSW public schools, along with a series of programs to connect students and families with support in their community.

Alfresco Restart Rebate Claims Open for Business

NSW small and medium hospitality operators can now claim the State Government’s $5,000 Alfresco Restart rebate, enabling them to create or expand their outdoor dining offerings.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the rebate would reinvigorate communities and change the way customers dine.
“After a cold winter and now that spring is here, the NSW Government’s broader $66 million Alfresco Restart package is helping to boost local hospitality and ensure customers can enjoy new outdoor dining experiences at some of their favourite venues,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Whether you’re a café in Western Sydney, a restaurant on the Northern Beaches or a pub on the Central Coast, this is about giving businesses and customers more choice and convenience.”

Examples of eligible expenses include generators, heaters, fans and misters, installation of outdoor power points and weather protection for shade and rain, including umbrellas.

Small and medium hospitality operators have from now until 30 September 2022 to claim their one-off Alfresco Restart rebate of up to $5,000, which is available to the first 5,000 eligible businesses to register.

Minister for Small Business Victor Dominello said there are still around 900 rebates available for businesses to register and claim for.

“This program will help businesses to bounce back from two years of interruption caused by the pandemic by reducing the cost of dining transformation,” Mr Dominello said.

“It is great to see so many businesses having already registered for the rebate program but there is still space available for more looking to go alfresco.”

The rebate is being delivered by Service NSW. Businesses must first register on the Service NSW website to confirm their eligibility. Customers will need a MyServiceNSW Account, proof of identity and a valid ABN to register.

Businesses considering kerbside dining but looking for additional support on how to do so can reach out to a Service NSW Business Concierge for guidance.

Hospitality businesses can also access free tailored business advice on how to find new customers, improve their digital presence, manage cash flow and pricing strategies by contacting Business Connect.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said alfresco dining has been such a success that its temporary measures have been extended for a further 18 months to further support the hospitality industry.

“The temporary alfresco dining measures has largely been in the CBD, which has been great, but we would love to see more regional venues take up this opportunity and consider permanent options that reflect the community’s desire to dine outdoors year-round,” Mr Anderson said.

Customers can speak to the Business Concierge and Business Connect teams by calling 13 77 88 or can get more information on these services by visiting https://www.nsw.gov.au/working-and-business/business-advice-and-support.

The program follows other measures from the NSW Government designed to boost outdoor dining. Another initiative is fast tracking approvals for venues wishing to extend their liquor licence boundary to include new outdoor dining spaces.