Youth take over city for week of celebrations

Young people are gearing up to take over Wheeler Place and Museum Park this Saturday with pop-up skate ramps, live music, market stalls, art exhibits and workshops to kick off Youth Week 2023 celebrations.

City of Newcastle (CN) is hosting and supporting an exciting program of youth-led events, designed and delivered by young people, that highlight the contribution young people make to the community, as part of the state-wide event which runs until 30 April.

Together with the NSW Department of Community and Justice, CN has provided funding towards three events that will take place during Youth Week to promote cultural diversity, social inclusion, arts and culture, mental health and wellbeing.

CN will open the doors to the City Administration Centre for an Open Day, by invitation only, providing local high school students with the opportunity to learn more about civic engagement and Council services and facilities. Whilst opportunities for creative and cultural expression, as well as social connection and wellbeing will be the focus of the Civic Takeover and Young N’ Cultured events.

Visit What’s On Newcastle for more information on Newcastle Youth Week events.

Newcastle Youth Week events and activities:

Civic Takeover
Wheeler Place and Museum Park
Saturday 22 April 2pm – 6pm
All ages, free event, no bookings required

Pop down to Wheeler Place and Museum Park this Saturday for an afternoon of live music from emerging local performers, market stalls, a youth art exhibition, an artist-led sculptural workshop and pop-up skate ramps. Civic Takeover is presented in partnership with Newcastle Art Gallery, Skate Connection, Newy Youth Markets and Tantrum Youth Arts.

Young N’ Cultured
University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus
Friday 28 April, 4pm – 6pm
All ages

Come celebrate diversity and join the sharing of vibrant cultures and knowledge with an evening enriched by the sounds, colours, and spirit of cultural songs, dance and storytelling. Presented in partnership with University of Newcastle, Young N’ Cultured showcases both traditional and contemporary talents embodied across Newcastle’s multicultural communities.

Mark Speakman elected new NSW Liberal Leader

Mark Speakman has been elected as the new leader of the NSW Liberal Parliamentary
Party and will lead the Party to the 2027 NSW election.


Mark grew up in Caringbah, in the Cronulla electorate he has represented since 2011 and
where he has lived most of his adult life. He has two children, Kate and Matt, with Caroline.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws (first class honours and the university medal) and a Bachelor of
Economics from Sydney University as well as a Master of Law (first class honours) from
Cambridge University. Mark was appointed Senior Counsel after a successful legal career
before entering NSW Parliament.


In the previous Coalition Government, Mark served as Attorney General, Minister for the
Environment and Heritage, and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence. As
AG he led major legal reforms in domestic and sexual violence (including sexual consent law
and coercive control law), improving community safety and modernised defamation law. As
Environment Minister he led NSW’s early adoption of net zero by 2050, as well as container
deposit scheme legislation. He also served as Leader of the House.


“The NSW Liberals have delivered more than a decade of unprecedented economic success
and investment for our state. Our government left NSW with two triple-A credit ratings, low
unemployment and strong economic management that allowed us to support for families,
businesses and the wider community,” Mark said.


“From vouchers that have been helping family budgets, to programs that have helped small
businesses survive repeated economic shocks, to transformation of infrastructure and
frontline services, the Coalition government left NSW stronger and more prosperous than it
was in 2011.


“In challenging times we will continue to work hard for the people of NSW and keep fighting
for the needs of communities from Albury to Port Macquarie, and from Vaucluse to Broken
Hill.


“After 12 years in opposition, Labor have only been able to achieve minority government on
an extraordinarily narrow platform. We intend to operate as a constructive opposition –
offering support where it is warranted, and holding the Government to account where they
fail the community.”


Damian Tudehope and Natalie Ward have been elected as the Leader and Deputy Leader in
the Legislative Council.

PM tries to distance voice from Thorpe behaviour

If the Prime Minister truly believes Senator Lidia Thorpe is struggling with mental health issues, he should begin removing her from the Parliament.  

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s comments about Senator Thorpe were a transparent attempt to distance his proposed indigenous voice to Parliament from the radical black nationalists represented by the exGreens senator.

“Over the last two days, the Prime Minister has made statements claiming radical Aboriginal campaigner and Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe’s behaviour is symptomatic of mental health issues,” Senator Hanson said. “Senator Thorpe has hit back at the claims as ‘misogynistic’ and ‘racist’.

“The aim of Mr Albanese’s statements about mental health is to try and distance his proposed voice to Parliament from Senator Thorpe. “The Prime Minister’s claims that Senator Thorpe suffers from a mental health condition are entirely unfounded.

“If the Prime Minister truly believes Senator Thorpe has mental health issues and is unfit for Parliament, he must start having her deemed ineligible to hold a Senate position.

“If not, the Prime Minister must immediately stop denigrating the Senator and admit that his voice to Parliament risks increasing the number of like-minded people like Senator Thorpe to the voice.”

Housing Cost of Living: The Dirty Little Secret

It is ‘no secret’ to hard-working Australians that housing costs in recent years, whether owning or renting, are out of control. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) official statistics published in Trading Economics, housing inflation rose nearly 40% from January 2021 to January 2023.

Even the ABC gets the twin housing inflation problems and general inflation. Or at least finance reporter David Taylor does. In his recent piece entitled From high inflation to the housing crisis and a possible recession, Australia’s economic problems need meaningful solutions. He stated that: 

“The fundamental economic problem of our time is inflation, or the rising cost of living. … Low wage growth, a surge in migration and a chronic housing shortage have now produced both a cost-of-living crisis and a housing crisis.” 

Regarding the problem of general inflation, Taylor delved deeper: 

“Easing inflation pressures means there is less of a chance interest rates will continue to climb, which makes it easier for companies to churn out a profit. This helps explain the stock market’s flirtation with a new record high — especially when…many companies have managed to ride the inflation wave without letting go of their profit margins. … You see, while easing inflationary pressures are welcome, the evidence continues to point to so-called ‘sticky’ inflation — both overseas and here.” 

He then went into some of the policy drivers of general inflation: 

“The [GFC] produced a trauma that’s still with us. Indeed the remedies to [that] — taxpayer bailouts of corporations too big to fail and cheap funding for those with assets — helped entrench deep inequality[.] … The pandemic led to huge amounts of government stimulus…stoking inflation.” 

Taylor then ‘circled back’ to housing inflation and it’s policy-drivers when he concluded: 

“The economy is dominated by large monopolies with unprecedented power over wages growth and the prices they charge consumers. You can add to that a housing market that’s been propped up by a favourable tax environment, cheap money and investor speculation. … Looking ahead, surging migration may prevent Australia from entering a technical recession…but it’s also leading to soaring rents and entrenching the housing affordability crisis.” 

What is ‘somewhat a secret’ nowadays (long after the common sense reforms of the 1980s and 1990s) regarding housing, inflation, and the economy is, as American President Ronald Reagan once quipped: 

“Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem. … Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.” 

Moreover, ‘the dirty little secret’ is that government problem subsidies are not just sometimes unintentional but often intentional and that these are not just fiscal in origin but also regulatory and monetary. The three key and intentional policies driving-up housing inflation, in particular, are #1) open-border immigration, #2) climate-alarmism green tape, and #3) money-and-credit printing. Policy #1 is a mix of fiscal and regulatory policies, whereas #2 is regulatory and #3 is monetary. 

Australian housing demand is regularly ‘pump-primed’ by the federal government through a combination of #1 and #3. This happens through #1 more people plus #3 more money to demand more housing services. However, at the same time, the Australian housing supply is regularly constrained by federal, state and local governments through #2 many restrictions on housing stock. In short, high demand and low supply growth equal housing inflation and, thus, the housing crisis. 

As the 1980s cartoon, G.I. Joe used to say, “And knowing is half the battle.” The other half of the battle is, of course, doing. And this starts with asking both the PM and RBA, “Please explain?” 

NNSW launches first-of-its-kind online Cultural Competency course

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the launch of an interactive Cultural Competency and Reflections E-Learning course entitled C.A.R.E.

The course aims to empower and support the netball community to unite and take action to create positive change for First Nations participants in the game. It will give the NSW netball community a vital toolkit to help create culturally safe and inclusive environments for First Nations peoples who love our game.

C.A.R.E is now free for all netball participants, Clubs and Associations across the State. Importantly, it’s the first course of its kind to be launched by an Australian sporting organisation, and has been designed in close consultation with Netball NSW’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group.

It encourages participants to challenge coaching, officiating, selection and leadership policies and practices within their sphere of influence, given these policies and practices can often exclude or discriminate against Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples. The C.A.R.E package then encourages participants to reflect and advocate for positive alternatives.

Work started on the project in 2018 and Netball NSW General Manager of Performance & Pathways Mardi Aplin said C.A.R.E was the fulfilment of a huge body of work by many stakeholders within the game.

“Education is one of the most important tools to help us build a better future for all, and netball can only fully reach its potential when we provide a safe environment for everyone,” she said.

“The C.A.R.E course is a fantastic achievement, and we are exceptionally proud to be launching a product that provides our netball community with a brilliant resource to ensure ignorance is no longer an excuse when it comes to cultural awareness.  

“The course asks our netball community to put themselves, or their child, in the shoes of the speakers, and to explore their reactions and feelings.

“It is important to acknowledge that to grow, to listen and to learn as a sport, we must be comfortable with being uncomfortable when taking the course. By taking part, our participants are helping to build towards a much better, shared netball experience for everyone.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our RAP Working Group for their wisdom, energy, passion and patience while collaborating with us on this vital education course.”

Alison Tucker-Munro of the NNSW RAP Working Group said the launch of the C.A.R.E course was a very welcome development.

“As Mardi said, education is vital when it comes to Reconciliation, and this online resource is just one step in a bigger journey that our sport must take if we want to work and walk together towards ensuring our sport is genuinely inclusive to all,” she said.

“The course really does highlight the critical role we all play in providing culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal people across NSW. We must strive to be a sport of choice for all Australians, and specifically our First Australians.

“It has taken a very long time to bring this to fruition, but these projects require a lot of time and proper consultation to ensure they can deliver what they are set up to do.
“The Information modules are designed to build knowledge and confidence to enable Associations and Clubs to create culturally safe and inclusive spaces for Aboriginal players, coaches, umpires, selectors and administrators.

“Together, with the help of the netball community we will find a way to stand against racism, because we, and our sport, will all be the better for it.”

To learn more about C.A.R.E, and to take the course, please CLICK HERE

APCO FINALLY COMES CLEAN ON WASTE REDUCTION TARGETS

The Greens are calling for the Albanese Government to immediately mandate waste reduction targets following a report out today revealing Australia will miss its 2025 National Packaging Targets.

Australia set a national target to recover 70% of plastic packaging by 2025, but a review by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation shows just 18% of plastic packaging was recycled or composted in the 2020-21 financial year. 

The review confesses governments will need to pursue harder regulation if plastic producers cannot do better under the current voluntary system of waste reduction. Yet after decades of big plastic producers failing to clean up after themselves, why wait? 

Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“The idea that Australia could reach its 2025 National Packaging Targets under a system that hinges on weak, consumer-obligated, voluntary targets has always been a complete farce. 

“It is mind-blowing that the government is still kicking this can down the road. Big producers of plastic have been operating with impunity, free from any serious penalties or regulation. 

“Voluntary approaches to waste reduction do not work – it’s that simple. Big companies will never care about the planet as much as their profits, which means mandating waste reduction targets is the only way to get them to take the matter seriously.

“Plastic production makes up 45% of the petrochemical sector, which is projected to account for over a third of growth in oil demand by 2030, and remain one of the biggest drivers of oil extraction over coming decades. 

“Multinational oil and gas corporations are eyeing a rapid expansion in the production of plastics to generate demand for fossil fuels in a decarbonising world. If we end plastic, we can end fossil fuels.

“It is absurd that our waste reduction targets are not legally binding given what we know about the dangers of plastic pollution. To stop the insidious scourge of plastic from intruding into our lives and the environment, the Albanese Government must mandate our nation’s waste reduction targets.”

THE ACTIVITY TEST MUST GO AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE WORKERS DESERVE A PAY RISE NOW

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce’s recommendations that the Government scrap the activity test and give early childhood education and care workers a pay rise in the May budget.The Australian Greens’ have long called for these measures.Senator Faruqi said:“The activity test is a disgrace of a policy. It is cruel, punitive and beyond repair. “The activity test denies access to early childhood education and care for the most disadvantaged children and punishes families with insecure, casual work.“Many thousands of children from disadvantaged families are missing out on early childhood education and care because of the activity test- it should be abolished now. “Dumping the activity test would represent significant progress towards the Greens vision of free, universal early childhood education and care.“The treatment of early childhood education  and care workers is a national shame. They continue to be paid well below what they deserve.“The government can’t keep delaying action. Early childhood education and care workers deserve a pay rise now and recognition and respect for the important work they do. They have been undervalued for far too long. 

Mall building demolition application to be expedited

City of Newcastle (CN) will expedite processing a soon to be lodged Development Application by Iris Capital, to enable the demolition of the buildings located in Phase 3 of its award-winning East End development.

Phase 3 is bound by Hunter, Newcomen, King and Laing Streets and includes the building which previously housed several retail outlets and a food court.

LORDMA-1.JPGLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said CN is committed to the long-term revitalisation of Hunter Street and this is another step towards improving the Mall area as an attractive destination for locals and visitors.

“Delivering the long overdue transformation in the Hunter Street Mall has been a vital project for City renewal. The initial stages highlight the overall vision for the future completed revitalisation of the heritage precinct. The next stage of public domain works are planned and ready to deliver.

“Through close collaboration with NSW Police and Iris Capital we identified that we have some public safety concerns in the final stages of the heritage revitalisation, so action is progressing on the demolition of the non-heritage buildings so the site can be adequately contained,” Cr Nelmes said.

Iris Capital Development Manager Jamie Boswell said this site completes Iris Capital’s contribution to the East End Village and the demolition is an important step towards future development.

“This site provides another opportunity for revitalisation and for Iris Capital to contribute further to the transformation of the Hunter Street Mall and along with City of Newcastle we are committed to public safety and the best outcome for the community is to progress with the demolition of the existing structure as quickly as possible,” Mr Boswell said.

The DA for demolition of the buildings will be expedited following concerns about the current state of the buildings and antisocial behaviour from members of the public and local business owners.

Police are aware of reports of antisocial behaviour in and around these buildings and will continue to work collaboratively with the City of Newcastle and increase proactive police patrols in response.

CN’s Executive Director Planning and Environment, Michelle Bisson, said her team will undertake the assessment as a priority to ensure all requirements are met, including heritage considerations and expect to have the application determined shortly after lodgement.

The East End Public Domain project consists of multiple phases of work with the long term vision to reinstate Hunter Street as a traditional high street and an attractive destination for locals and visitors, with outdoor dining and boutique retail opportunities.

GOVERNMENT MUST HEED THE ADVICE OF ITS WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EQUALITY TASKFORCE

The Greens are calling on the Government to accept all recommendations of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (WEET) in the May Budget, and not make women wait while wealthy men and submarines are prioritised.

The Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce have asked for urgent action on 6 key priority recommendations, to redress gender wealth inequality, all of which the Greens support. 

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

“The Government asked the WEET for advice about how to deliver women’s financial security, they can’t now ignore the sensible advice on policy reforms to deliver it.

“The women of Australia expect and deserve to be prioritised after nine years of Coalition neglect, and this government can’t claim to be better for women if they make us wait while prioritising tax cuts for the wealthy and submarines.

“This budget is about choices. Choose to implement expert recommendations to help women, children, and those most at-risk or already living in poverty; or continue to cry poor while funding the Stage 3 tax cuts and spending billions on submarines.

“Each of the six key recommendations for women’s economic security were already Greens policy and we back them all. 

“We are pleased to see reversing the Gillard government’s decision to cut off Parenting Payment Single when kids turn 8 as a priority recommendation. Extending parenting support to 16 years would cost $1.4 billion dollars – a fraction of a fraction of the Stage 3 tax cuts and AUKUS spending – but it would be life changing for 500,000 single mums and their kids.

“We strongly support the Taskforce’s call to scrap the degrading, punitive and coercive ParentsNext program. The Greens tried to disallow it back in 2018, and the program has done untold damage since then.

“Just last month the government had the chance to support Greens amendments to their Paid Parental Leave bill and pay super on paid parental leave, costed at $200 million, yet they chose not to. 

“Poverty is a policy choice. Right now, Labor is choosing to keep in place a woeful social security system that leaves millions of women, children, uni students and renters in poverty. 

“The Labor Government has found $368 billion to spend on nuclear submarines and $254 billion in Stage 3 tax cuts for the rich, so has no excuse to reject reforms that will help women struggling to pay rent and put food on the table.

“Labor say they’re on the side of struggling Australians – it’s time they show it, and use that money to make life a bit easier for women and children doing it tough.”

BACKGROUND

In full: Letter to Minister Gallagher re Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce advice for May 2023 Budget (pmc.gov.au)

Six priorities identified by the WEET as urgent and targeted actions: 

  1. Reinstatement of the Parenting Payment (Single) for women with children over eight. This will more appropriately classify single mothers as doing parenting work, rather than as being unemployed. 
  2. Abolition of the Parents Next program. This should be accompanied by a commitment to reinvest in a new evidence-based program co-designed with young parents, and based in principles of encouragement, support, flexibility and meeting their needs. 
  3. Abolition of the Childcare Subsidy Activity Test. 
  4. Payment of Superannuation for primary carers while they are on Paid Parental Leave. 
  5. Increase the rate of Commonwealth Rental Assistance to improve women’s immediate housing security stemming from the lack of affordable, appropriate, and safe housing options. 
  6. Invest in an interim pay-rise for all early childhood educators and aged care workers in recognition of the historical undervaluation of their work and the urgent need to retain and attract workers to the sector. 
     

GREENS LAUNCH PARLIAMENTARY SURVEY TO GET DENTAL INTO MEDICARE

A survey to hear about the community’s dental experiences has been launched as part of the Greens-led, Senate Inquiry into the Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia. 

This survey is available to all people in Australia to complete and will seek the community’s experiences accessing dental services, the barriers they face and their views on how dental care needs to change in Australia. 

The Senate inquiry has been established to investigate issues including the impact of the cost of the living crisis on access to dental services and will consider a pathway to universal access to dental services in Australia. 

The Australian Greens took a policy to the last Federal Election of having dental services available in Medicare. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Chair of the Committee + Greens Spokesperson for Health said: 

“We know so many people aren’t able to go to the dentist because it’s too expensive. More and more people are having to delay going to the dentist living with sore gums, ill-fitting dentures or headaches. 

“As chair of this inquiry, I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to have their voice heard by the parliament. That’s why I am so proud to be launching a survey today – to make it as easy as possible, for as many people as possible to contribute to the Senate inquiry. 

“Nobody should have to suffer tooth pain or dental issues that could be avoided with treatment simply because they can’t afford it. The only way we’re going to get reform to Australia’s dental healthcare is if decision-makers in Canberra actually understand the scale of the problem.

“Whatever your experience is with the dental care system, even if it has been very limited due to these sorts of barriers – your contribution is extremely valuable – please fill in the survey and share your ideas on how we can fix dental care services in Australia.

“This is our opportunity to make dental care truly accessible for all. Together, our voices are strongest.” 

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