Author: admin

Do Blak Lives Matter to Shaquille O’Neal?

PointsBet Australian brand ambassador Shaquille O’Neal has met with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss their proposal for a Voice to Parliament.

This comes as Minister Burney met with the Joint Council on Closing Gap last week. The latest data from the Productivity Commission indicates that that the rates of suicide, incarceration and children in out-of-home care have risen for First Nations people.

“Why is Labor talking to American celebrities about advisory bodies, when we’ve got First Nations people dying in custody?” Said Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for First Nations and DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman.

Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for First Nations said:

“We have the solutions. We’ve had the solutions for decades and Labor is ignoring them. Want to prevent First Nations people from going to jail in the first place? Implement the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

“Approximately 40% of the Commission’s recommendations are about social factors: education, health, employment, housing and land rights. Implementing these recommendations will save peoples lives, before any referendum.

“You don’t need a Voice to Parliament to tell us that the recommendations from a 31 year old Royal Commission needs to be urgently implemented, to reduce the incarceration of our people. 

“Labor needs to stop tinkering around the edges with new so-called solutions. I’m seeing a lot of time and energy being put towards laying out a pathway to the Voice, while neglecting work that is decades overdue. 

“This is not the first time Labor has been in Government and ignored the self-determined solutions our old people gave them, in favour of photo ops. Is this a Government that takes Blak Lives Matter seriously? Will they implement the remaining recommendations? Clock’s ticking, Labor.”

Deliver fee-free uni and TAFE to boost education

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of fee-free tertiary degrees for nursing and midwifery students, and called for universal free higher education.

Senator Faruqi said:

“It’s great that thousands of nursing students won’t go into enormous debt in order to get an education. That opportunity should be extended to everyone.

“Free higher education has the potential to transform our society, giving students a world-class education while ensuring no one is saddled with a debt sentence as they start a new phase of their lives.

“Student debt is skyrocketing, with almost three million students owing a record $69 billion as of last year. It is out of control and we should be wiping it, not adding to it.

“The Greens want free education for everyone, whether you are leaving school, changing careers, retraining later in life or looking to gain new skills and knowledge. Education is a right, not a privilege reserved for just those who can afford to pay for it.”

Greens to move for energy transition authority in Parliament

The Greens Industry, Transition and Regional Development spokesperson and Gladstone local, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, will give notice of a Bill to establish a National Energy Transition Authority in the next sitting of Parliament.

The announcement comes after climate bill negotiations between the Greens and government, during which the government undertook to consider the Greens’ proposal for a statutory transition authority to support coal and gas communities and give them control over their futures as Australia tackles the climate crisis. 

The Greens were the only party to campaign at the election on a fully costed platform for statutory transition authorities to be established in coal and gas regions, managed by locals, unions and businesses, and funded to grow new industries and secure jobs.

The Bill will: 

  • Establish an independent statutory National Energy Transition Authority tasked with planning and coordinating to facilitate new economic opportunities for workers and communities who are currently involved in fossil fuel production and associated industries.
  • The National Energy Transition Authority will provide policy coordination and planning nationwide to enable regulatory conditions conducive to stable investment by both governments and business in clean energy and supporting infrastructure.
  • The Authority will draw on a Diversifying Coal Communities Fund of $2.8 billion over ten years, which will approve and fund local plans across the nation, developed by regionally based transition bodies in partnership with the National Energy Transition Authority.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Everyone knows the phase out of coal is underway so we have to put in place plans and institutions to support the communities that will be affected. This must be on the table at the Jobs and Skills Summit.

“There is so much opportunity for new jobs and industries in the coal regions, we just need to get on with it. Where I live, in Central Queensland, coal and gas workers tell me they know their jobs are on the way out and they’re sick of governments pretending that it isn’t happening. They want some honesty, and they want a plan.

“As we have seen with the Latrobe Valley Authority, a locally led transition with national support can start to get results for coal workers, their families and their communities.

“During negotiations on the climate change legislation the government agreed to consider the Greens’ plans for a transition authority. If the Government and Greens make serious progress on this issue over the next three years, Coalition climate scare campaigns will fall on deaf ears because coal and gas communities will know their future is being planned for and that their children will have a secure future.

“The experience in Europe shows that if you plan the transition, workers can move into new well-paid jobs, be redeployed through industry-wide polling or benefit from early retirement, but it needs leadership from government.”

The Greens’ election policy, Powering Past Coal and Gas, outlined a plan for the transition authority, as well as a ‘Job for Job Guarantee’ wage support plan for coal workers. The ACTU has called for the establishment of a transition authority and although Labor did not propose any policies before the election, it is consistent with the policy platform set by its members, suggesting the Greens’ bill could pass Parliament. 

Reserve Bank modelling of the climate commitments of Australia’s major trading partners, including China, Japan and South Korea, could see our coal exports fall by up to 80%.

ARC review welcome but NIT and veto have to go

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed today’s announced review of the Australian Research Council but urged action on a number of fronts.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The Senate inquiry I initiated earlier this year did recommend an independent review, and I’m glad Minister Clare has taken this up. It’s beyond time for a good hard look at the ARC.

“A couple of things are crystal clear: the ministerial veto power and the national interest test have to go. Scrapping the veto power is overwhelmingly backed by universities and researchers.

“The national interest test is completely unnecessary and onerous, and has attracted significant criticism. It has to be ditched, not tweaked.

“The minister can make these changes without delay.

“Let’s go back to first principles: the people who know best about what research to fund are those in the research community. Rigorous peer review is fundamental, but it’s been undermined by politics for far too long.

“The review should not narrow itself to governance and operations. We need to ask the basic question of why we can apparently only afford to fund as few as one in five projects under many schemes, despite vastly more projects being of high quality. A lack of proper funding is really harming Australian research.”

Wellbeing for additional needs students at the heart of school redevelopment

A state-of-the-art sensory garden and a hydrotherapy pool are two of the new and improved facilities at the centre of Passfield Park School, which was officially opened today by the Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell. 

Ms Mitchell said the $35 million redevelopment of Passfield Park School is part of the NSW Government’s $270 million investment in Schools for Specific Purposes across the state over the past eight years.  

The redevelopment is one of 15 delivered by the Government to provide modern and fit-for-purpose facilities for students with additional needs and their families. 

“The NSW Government is committed to providing the best education facilities for all students no matter their location or circumstance,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“The new environment at Passfield Park maximises learning opportunities for students and provides them with a greater sense of wellbeing.”  

The redevelopment also includes 16 permanent teaching spaces, a library and a hall, entrance and drop off areas, modern core facilities such as staff and administration areas, a covered outdoor learning area, expanded carpark for 68 cars, and an indoor sports facility.  

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, which means a total program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure. 

Schools for specific purposes delivered by the NSW Government: 

1.    Ajuga School  

2.    Budawang School*  

3.    Campbell House School  

4.    Fernhill School  

5.    George Bass School 

6.    Glenfield Park School  

7.    Lucas Gardens School  

8.    Mainsbridge School 

9.    Parry School 

10. Passfield Park School 

11. Rowland Hassall School 

12. The Ponds School  

13. Tirriwirri School 

14. Wangee Park School 

15. Yandelora School 

16. Yawarra Community School  
* Delivered for 2023 

New home of sport and entertainment opens

More than 50,000 people will flock to the brand-new Allianz Stadium for the very first time today with a free community day and night, before the biggest names in sport and entertainment kick off a spectacular opening series of events.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet declared the state-of-the-art Stadium open with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque before the first fans made their way through the turnstiles.
 
“Today is a once-in-a-generation occasion as we open Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, a game changer for our state and another major infrastructure project delivered by our government,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This world-class stadium is befitting of the nation’s only truly global city and will ensure  NSW continues to attract the biggest stars in sport, music and entertainment.”
 
The Community Open Day will feature live entertainment, stadium tours and a sports zone with players from the Sydney Roosters, NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC, while the night event will include an official opening ceremony with large-scale projections, light shows and live performances from Guy Sebastian and Baker Boy.
 
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Stadium will be the envy of sporting fans across the country, giving rugby league, football and rugby fans a phenomenal viewing experience.
 
“On Friday, 2 September our female athletes will create Australian sporting history, with the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership marking the first official sporting event at the new stadium between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons, before the Sydney Roosters face their oldest and fiercest rivalry, the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“With the final piece of turf now laid and the last seats in place, the stadium has the best community and player facilities in the country, and I can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it.”
 
The 42,500 seat stadium has a 360-degree open concourse inside and outside the venue, steep seating angles providing unrivalled views of the field, and the very best Merivale food and beverage offering.
 
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the new stadium will drive growth in the visitor economy and promote a strong cultural and sporting sector.
 
“Allianz Stadium will become the stage for some of the music world’s biggest stars, including pop sensation Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber and the legendary Sir Elton John,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“We’re expecting sellout after sellout in the opening months which will provide a significant boost to the NSW visitor economy.” 
 
Allianz Australia Managing Director Richard Feledy added: “As we mark ten years since Allianz’s commitment to the original Allianz Stadium, we are very proud to bring communities together again through this new world-class precinct. Now open to the public, Allianz Stadium Sydney joins the Allianz family of stadiums around the world.
 
“Allianz has been supporting Australians for over 100 years and we are thrilled to officially welcome visitors to the new Allianz Stadium to witness history, share in the electricity and create lifelong memories.”
 
More information about the new Allianz Stadium can be found online.

Illawarra REZ attracts $43 billion in potential investment

The Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has attracted $43 billion worth of potential investments in response to a call for expressions of interest for large-scale energy and green manufacturing projects. 

Minister for Energy Matt Kean said 44 projects were registered – including offshore and onshore wind, solar, energy storage, pumped hydro, green hydrogen and green steel – potentially delivering 17 gigawatts of generation and storage capacity.  

“The response has been tremendous, with particularly strong interest in offshore wind, energy storage technologies and green hydrogen,” Mr Kean said.  

“The Illawarra REZ will help deliver cheap and reliable energy, power existing industries, support emerging industries to thrive and create thousands of new jobs in the future.”

Registered industry interest includes: 

  • More than $35 billion in potential investment from 10 wind generation projects, with 8 located offshore, totalling 12.9 gigawatts of generation capacity; 
  • 5 solar projects; 
  • 16 energy storage projects including 11 batteries; 
  • 4 pumped hydro projects; 
  • 4 hydrogen production and two hydrogen electricity generation projects; and 
  • 3 new load projects including green steel manufacturing. 

“This highlights the variety of large-scale energy projects being developed in the region, that will ensure the Illawarra plays a role as the powerhouse of the renewable energy economy,” Mr Kean said.

“The Illawarra has a proud history of manufacturing and the REZ will only build on this legacy, with ROI projects including emerging manufacturing industries such as green steel production.” 

The information provided through the ROI will be used by the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) to inform the timing, capacity, design and location of the Illawarra REZ and is the first step in engaging with industry on its design.

EnergyCo will be engaging closely with industry, local government, local communities and other stakeholders as it progresses the design and delivery of the REZ. 

The Illawarra REZ is expected to be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by the end of 2022. 

New policy to drive down energy costs and build better homes

A new nation-leading policy to help NSW reach net zero emission targets and deliver more comfortable and energy-efficient homes and buildings has been released today.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said this new Sustainable Buildings State Environmental Planning Policy sets new standards and is expected to reduce household energy bills, and ensure homes are naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

“These new standards will drive more energy-efficient homes from Bondi to Broken Hill and beyond, with better design, better insulation and more sunlight,” Mr Kean said.

“People living in new high-rise apartments in suburban Sydney will save up to $150 a year, new Western Sydney homeowners will see a reduction of $720 a year, and our regional communities as much as $970 a year.

“NSW is also raising the bar with this first-of-its-kind policy in energy efficiency and sustainability for new offices and hotels. These updated standards will keep operating costs down for owners and tenants, and give them the assurance they got what they paid for.

“The policy will enable the NSW Government to collect critical data about building performance and greenhouse gas emissions. This will inform future benchmarks and ensure NSW keeps pace with the national trajectory for low-energy buildings.”

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the new SEPP sets standards for energy, water and thermal performance in new homes, and establishes provisions to create more sustainable non-residential buildings.      

“We recognise the importance of good design and sustainability in planning, that’s why we are progressing updates to our online Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) tool and introducing sustainability requirements for new commercial buildings,” Mr Roberts said.

“We need to ensure the places we live, work and stay in are more comfortable – all while we save people money on their power bills and contribute to our net zero target.”

Mr Roberts said the policy incorporates increased energy and thermal performance standards, and the introduction of a new index within BASIX to measure the greenhouse gas emissions produced in manufacturing residential building materials.

“It also introduces new energy and water standards for large commercial buildings, and requires these developments to demonstrate they are net-zero ready,” he said.

“We want to drive down emissions, saving around 260,000 tonnes a year of CO2 and helping reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
For more information, visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sustainable-buildings-sepp

New era of water security for greater Sydney

Communities and businesses across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra are well on their way to securing an enduring, sustainable and resilient water supply after the NSW Government launched the Greater Sydney Water Strategy (GSWS) today.
 
Minister for Lands and Water, Kevin Anderson said the GSWS is a new approach to water security planning, that will support economic prosperity and underpin the growth, liveability and quality of life of the city.
 
“This is an unprecedented 20-year strategy designed to tackle the region’s water challenges – including droughts and a growing population – using the best possible mix of innovative water solutions,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“The GSWS is about being resilient, especially in the face of a more variable climate. Sydney’s population is set to grow to 7.1 million by 2041, which will put even more pressure on our water resources.
 
“The strategy makes it clear that we need to invest in additional water supply in the next 5 to10 years as well as improving  water efficiency and conservation, to make better use of all our water sources and assets.
 
It will also identify alternative pathways to increase  water supply options through reuse programs and additional water from desalination. 
 
“Water drives our economy and growth, maintains our parks and green spaces, sustains our health and wellbeing and supports a healthy environment. That’s why we’re planning and delivering new and resilient systems today to ensure Sydney continues to be green, liveable and prosperous.” 
 
The GSWS will deliver:  
 

  • Improved water efficiency, leakage management and reuse programs to save Greater Sydney up to 49 billion litres of water every year by 2040;
  • New flexible operating rules for the Sydney Desalination Plant that will enhance our resilience by allowing up to 20 extra billion litres of water per year to be produced – and more when needed;
  • Options to expand the desalination plant, which could add another 90 billion litres per year, or a new desalination;
  • Investment in treated re-use programs for watering trees, sports fields, cooling and greening the city, and industrial use; and  
  • Smarter use of stormwater with integration into land use planning. This is already underway with the stormwater vision for the new Aerotropolis precinct. In a first for the State, stormwater will be managed across the entire landscape, diverted into natural water channels and wetlands, and then treated as recycled water to green and cool Sydney’s West. 

 
“The GSWS lays the groundwork for these, and many other exciting programs, initiatives and technologies, to start delivering big water wins for our city,” Mr Anderson said.  
 
The strategy assumes Warragamba Dam’s current storage is maintained.
 
“While Chris Minns and NSW Labor want to lower the supply level in Warragamba for flood mitigation, the Greater Sydney Water Strategy confirms this risks putting Sydney into severe water restrictions and even permanent drought,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“It would mean we have to start work today on at least two more desalination plants to meet the supply shortfall costing taxpayers $10 billion and adding up to $200 a year to their water bills.”
 
To read the Strategy and the Implementation Plan, visit:
https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plans-and-programs/greater-sydney-water-strategy

Free Rapid Antigen Tests for eligible customers at Service Centres

Pensioners and other concession card holders can now pick up free rapid antigen tests (RATs) from any Service NSW Service Centre, Mobile Service Centre or Disaster Recovery Centre.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said from today eligible customers in NSW will now also be able to access up to 10 free RATs through Service NSW Centres, in addition to existing distribution points at more than 200 neighbourhood and community centres located across the State.

“Although we are heading out of winter, the risk of COVID-19 remains and we want to ensure RATs are easily accessible for pensioners and concession card holders,” Mr Dominello said.

“We are committed to supporting our local communities and helping to drive down the cost of living where we can for vulnerable people.”

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said this shows the Government’s continued commitment to keeping those most vulnerable to the virus safe.

“This roll-out is part of the NSW Government’s program to provide millions of free rapid antigen tests to ensure they are readily available to support our state’s most vulnerable,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said. 

“Eligible customers need to show Service NSW staff their Commonwealth concession card at any one of our 113 Service Centres, four Mobile Service Centres or Disaster Recovery Centres across the State.”

Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said this once again shows the NSW Government is ensuring no one is left behind, especially seniors.

“This builds upon our earlier commitment to pick up the Federal Government’s Concessional Access Program, which it dropped at the end of last month,” Mr Coure said.

“We are making sure we keep the pressure off as many people as possible by stepping up and filling the gap that really should have not been created in the first place.”

The program will run until the end of October 2022. Eligible Commonwealth Concession Card holders in NSW include:

  • Pensioner Concession card
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Care card
  • Health Care Card (including Low Income Health Care card)
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold, White or Orange cards.

 
For more information visit Free rapid antigen tests to support vulnerable communities | NSW Government or visit any Service NSW Service Centre.