Still no credible plan to tackle teacher shortage crisis

The Greens have called on the nation’s education ministers to tackle the root causes of the teacher shortage crisis, after today’s roundtable failed to produce a credible plan for real reform.

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

“It’s great that teachers had a seat at the table at today’s Education Ministers Meeting. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that the ministers were really paying attention. 

“Despite listening to stories of 65-hour work weeks and crippling workloads, we heard almost nothing about that in the media conference that followed the meeting. Instead, the conversation turned quickly to recruitment and training.

“If you want to stop the exodus of teachers from the profession and attract more people into it, governments have to address pay and conditions.

“To tackle teacher workloads, the system needs to be resourced properly. Right now, nearly every public school in the country is receiving less than 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard, which is the minimum funding level required for students to achieve the minimum standard.

“Meanwhile, funding to private schools has increased at five times the rate of funding to public schools, and Australia has one of the greatest education funding inequality gaps in the OECD. This needs to be reversed.

“Similarly teacher salaries have gone backwards when compared to other professions over the last 30 years. Creating higher pay points for a select few won’t address this problem. We need a competitive pay structure for the profession as a whole.

“Frustratingly, none of this is new. Teachers and their unions have been raising these issues for over a decade.

“The December roadmap must include strategies to immediately address under-resourcing of schools and pay and conditions for all teachers. Otherwise it’s still just talk.”

Casino regulation reformed

Casino regulation in NSW has undergone a major overhaul after tough new laws passed the NSW Parliament tonight.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the Casino Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 will ensure the State’s two casinos comply with stringent controls, under the supervision of an independent regulator.

“This marks a new era in the way casinos in NSW are allowed to operate, with new  comprehensive measures targeting key issues such as money laundering and other criminal activity.” Mr Anderson said.

“This essential reset will give the people of NSW confidence that the State’s casino operators will be held to the highest possible standards.”

The centrepiece of the Bill is the creation of the  NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) that will have unprecedented powers to monitor casino activities, and take strong disciplinary action against operators and individuals who engage in misconduct. 

“The NICC will formally commence operations on 5 September and its first major task will be to consider the findings of the review into The Star casino, with Adam Bell SC due to hand down his report by the end of the month,” Mr Anderson said.

“The regulator will also take over the work of the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority in overseeing Crown Sydney’s  conditional opening of its gaming areas.

“The NICC will be led by a Chief Commissioner supported by four Commissioners including one with money laundering experience, to be appointed soon.”

Mr Anderson said the NICC will be funded by the Casino Supervisory Levy paid by both casinos. The levy will support a significant improvement  in  casino regulation.

New bill to better protect our frontline emergency workers

Legislation with new offences with tough penalties for offenders who assault frontline health and emergency services workers has been introduced to Parliament by the NSW Government.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said every person should be able to feel safe in their workplace, including health and emergency services workers who perform an essential public service for our community, in difficult circumstances and often at personal risk.
 
“Acts of violence on emergency services and frontline workers in the course of their duties are unacceptable,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“Those who perpetrate disgraceful acts of violence on these dedicated individuals should face serious criminal punishment. That is why the NSW Government is committed to strengthening criminal law protections for frontline workers as distinct, grave offences through this bill.
 
“The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Assaults on Frontline Emergency and Health Workers) Bill 2022 contains a suite of important reforms for the better protection of health and emergency services workers who commit their working lives to keeping our community safe.
 
“The new offences recognise that acts of violence against these workers merit express and distinct recognition, and higher penalties than currently available under the general assault provisions in the Crimes Act 1900. The new offences align with existing penalties for assaulting NSW police officers and other law enforcement officers.
 
“This bill underscores the NSW Government’s strong commitment to strengthening criminal law protections for frontline health and emergency workers.
 
“This bill is part of the NSW Government’s response to the NSW Sentencing Council’s report Assaults on Emergency Services Workers.”
 
The NSW Government is supporting, in full or in principle, all of the recommendations in that report. 
 
In addition, the NSW Government’s amendments go further by ensuring that firefighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, pharmacy staff, community health workers, NSW State Emergency Service frontline workers and other specified emergency workers will also be covered by the new offences.

Bays West Stage 1 rezoning on exhibition

Four hectares of new public open space, affordable housing, thousands of jobs, and the revitalisation of White Bay Power Station, are highlights of rezoning plans aimed at transforming part of Sydney’s inner harbour.
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the Stage 1 rezoning proposal to change planning rules around the White Bay Power Station and  Bays Metro Station are on public exhibition.
 
“We heard during the exhibition of the Stage 1 draft Master Plan, that development needed to match the character of the area, traffic must be considered, and public open space provided,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“This feedback has been reflected in our proposed rezoning plans that include an infrastructure delivery plan, supporting the delivery of around 250 homes; a commitment to affordable housing; a range of building heights, providing a varied skyline; more than four hectares of new public open and green space; and community infrastructure.
 
“Bays West will play an important role in the continued growth and economic success of Greater Sydney and the NSW economy over the next 20 years, so it’s important we get this plan right.”
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the proposed rezoning would also support nealy 5,000 jobs and the revitalisation and protection of White Bay Power Station.
 
“Bays West, which covers Rozelle Bay and White Bay, will complete the inner harbour puzzel, and provide a glittering setting for people to live, work and visit,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“We want to reimagine this stunning and historically significant precinct, transforming it into a world-class destination.
 
“I urge everyone to have their say on the plans and help turn this vision into reality.”
 
To provide feedback on the rezoning package, please visit  https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/bayswest. Feedback will run for four weeks until Wednesday 7 September.

NSW Government backs Broderick Review for a safer NSW Parliament

Premier Dominic Perrottet today said the NSW Government would offer its full support to the recommendations of the review by Elizabeth Broderick AO into bullying, harassment and sexual assault in NSW Parliament, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to make NSW Parliament a safe workplace for every person who works there.

The review was commissioned by the NSW Parliament and released today by the Presiding Officers.

“This review shines a light on a confronting reality, and I thank all the survivors whose bravery in participating will make our Parliament a safer place,” Mr Perrottet said.

“As Australia’s oldest Parliament, we must lead by example, and it is incumbent on every MP, every parliamentary office holder, and every party to do their part to make sure the incidents detailed in this report do not occur again.”

Mr Perrottet said the Government’s recent actions demonstrated its zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and sexual assault.

“We have already taken action within Ministerial workplaces to implement the recommendations of a similar review conducted earlier this year, and we will fully support the Parliament in implementing the recommendations of this report too,” Mr Perrottet said.

Minister for Women and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said this has been an important process for people to tell their stories and shine a light on unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.

“It is imperative that all workplaces, particularly Parliament, are held to the highest standard and ensure all employees feel safe, supported and heard,” Mrs Taylor said.

“My very strong message to those who don’t respect decency in this workplace is – your behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

As with similar reviews, the Broderick review reiterates the importance of rigorous and confidential processes to ensure complainants are confident to speak up, and are not silenced by fear.

Mr Perrottet said the NSW Government is committed to working with our parliamentary colleagues to ensure NSW Parliament is a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who works or visits. There is no place for bullying, harassment, or other misconduct – it cannot and will not be tolerated.

“We thank Ms. Broderick for her work in giving survivors a voice, and I look forward to working with Parliament’s presiding officers to put her recommendations into action,” Mr Perrottet said.

Labor’s plan will only meet 3% of social housing need

Analysis provided by the Parliamentary Library predicts that Labor’s housing plan will deliver only 3% of the social housing Australia will need by 2032. 

According to estimates provided by the Parliamentary Library, Australia currently has a shortfall of 524,200 social housing dwellings, and this is projected to grow to 670,600 dwellings by 2032. 

This estimate takes into account the number of people who are homeless, currently on social housing waiting lists and low-income renters who are in rental stress, to provide an estimate of the total unmet need for social housing dwellings in Australia.

Under Labor’s policy, the Housing Australia Future Fund will build 4,000 social houses each year over 5 years, a tiny fraction of what is needed.

Max Chandler-Mather Greens Federal Member  for Griffith said:

“Housing in Australia is in crisis and Labor’s plan falls short by 97%, which is a pretty spectacular failure.” 

By building only 3% of the social housing Australia needs, Labor is guaranteeing the housing crisis will get worse – millions will remain homeless, stuck for years on social housing waiting lists or in serious rental stress. 

“The Federal Labor Government plans on spending $224 billion over 10 years on the Stage 3 tax cuts, but only $10 billion on building social and affordable housing, which is a real kick in the teeth for the hundreds of thousands of people in desperate need of a home.”

“The Greens plan would see at least 250,000 public and affordable homes built over 5 years, and 1 million over 20 years, which is exactly what we need to ensure everyone has a place to call home.”

“We have the capacity, money and resources to build enough public housing for everyone who needs one, we just need to break the hold banks and property developers have over our political system.”

International offset accounting tricks won’t stop climate crisis, says Greens Leader

On the Climate Change Authority Report into the international offsets market released today, attributable to Greens leader Adam Bandt MP:

“The government must reject international offset accounting tricks.

“This Morrison-era report, commissioned by Angus Taylor to justify his government’s Paris accounting tricks, should be binned.

“We need to cut emissions here in Australia so that we get the benefits of transitioning to a zero economy. These international offsets just delay action and could also undercut our farmers, who could earn income from helping draw down pollution locally.

“The EU no longer allows international offsets and Australia should ban them too.

“If climate action is left to accounting tricks, pollution will go up and we won’t stop the climate crisis.

“Some of these supposed “carbon credits” are nothing but hot air: they don’t represent real cuts to emissions, they get traded hundreds of times, and they give corporations a free pass to keep pumping pollution into the atmosphere.

“The climate crisis and the threat of floods and fires is urgent. Any carbon reduction scheme must see emissions actually come down and carbon drawdown activities increased.

“If we want to turn the tide on climate breakdown we need to see negative emissions, with more carbon drawdown through reforestation than pollution output. The time for ambition is now and we can’t waste time on schemes that achieve net nothing.”

On Tamboran Resources’ submission to the Climate Change Bill enquiry, attributable to Greens leader Adam Bandt MP:

“The gas industry would rather the government sign off on widespread crop failures, water insecurity, extreme heat and flash flooding rather than take reasonable steps to avert the worsening of the climate crisis.

“No amount of spin from the gas grifters changes the fact that the Beetaloo Basin project will lift Australia’s pollution by up to 13%.

“Fracking the Beetaloo Basin is impossible if the government wants to meet even its weak 43% target.

“There’s no room for new coal and gas in our future.”

Plibersek must choose: Rinehart or climate

The Greens have urged the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to consider the emissions and climate impact of billionaire miner Gina Rinehart’s proposed expansion of a coal seam gas project in Queensland.

According to reports today, South Korean steel maker Posco will partner with Rinehart to lift production at the Senex venture in the Surat Basin with work set to begin in coming weeks. 

The plan still needs approval by the Environment Minister and comes just days after the Albanese Labor Government passed their 43 per cent climate target bill through the Lower House. 

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Any new or expanded coal or gas projects will blow Labor’s already weak 43 per cent target out the water. 

“Approving more coal and gas in the midst of a climate crisis is reckless and dangerous. Minister Plibersek should rule this one out too.

“It is clear we need a climate trigger in our environment laws to require the Minister to consider the impact the emissions from the project will have on the climate crisis. 

“The comments from the Resources Minister backing in the future of coal and gas are a very worrying sign. 

“If the Albanese Labor Government is truly committed to tackling the climate crisis then making sure they, and the government that comes next, don’t approve projects that make it worse is a must.

“Gas is not a transition fuel, there’s no shortage and expanding production only further lines the pockets of billionaires like Rinehart and big fossil fuel corporations, while making the climate crisis worse and doing nothing to lower power prices for everyday Australians.”

Greens spokesperson for mining and resources Senator Dorinda Cox said:

“Mining companies operating in the Surat Basin have repeatedly breached Native Title Land Use Agreements and have not enacted free, prior, and informed consent with Traditional owners and we simply cannot let it happen again. Enough is enough.

“Governments must stop destroying First Nations people’s cultural heritage in favour of untaxed billionaires who get public funding and resources for free.

“The Federal Government is heading the wrong way by creating a vision for Australia’s future resources industry that is backed in by coal and gas. It should be focused on investing in green resources and creating a clean energy export industry, including renewables-generated fuels such as Green Hydrogen.”

Museum visitors invited to drop-in and explore Newcastle’s skateboarding subculture 

You mightn’t know the meaning of Shralp before going into the Newcastle Museum exhibition, but visitors will certainly leave appreciating the tricks, terrain and talented individuals involved in Newcastle’s skateboarding subculture.

Curated by local skateboarder and academic James Turvey, and named after the act of ‘shredding and ripping simultaneously while on a skateboard, surfboard, or snowboard’, the aptly titled exhibition is an exploration of the Newcastle skateboarding scene from 1985 to today.

Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan, Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird and exhibition curator James Turvey at the launch of the Shralp exhibition at Newcastle Museum.

Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said Shralp, which opens to the public tomorrow,is another fantastic example of Newcastle Museum interpreting and preserving our city’s fascinating history, with a display of photos, magazines and skateboard decks and ephemera from local skating identities including John Bogaerts’ pro-model Bonzer board. In 1988, John became the first Novocastrian skateboarder to turn pro and have his name on a board.

“The exhibition highlights the significant role Newcastle has played in the history of Australian skateboarding and celebrates local skaters who have gone on to national and international success including Rowan Davis and Russell Grundy,” Cr Duncan said.

“Exhibitions such as this provide a vehicle through which we can share our stories and explore our identity.”

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said by collaborating with the community to tell their stories, the free exhibition offered a unique insight into this urban subculture.

“Skateboarding culture has flourished in Newcastle for over 35 years and when Museum Park opened in 2020, skaters flocked to the space to skate and socialise,” Ms Baird said.

“Finding this inclusive subculture on our doorstep inspired Newcastle Museum to collaborate with the community to produce a new exhibition.

“Curated by James Turvey, Shralp uses skateboarding print media as a lens to view the spots, people, and art of the Newcastle skate scene and how it has exposed Newcastle to the world.

“It also explores the role this community plays in documenting the changing nature of Newcastle’s urban environments as our city evolves over the decades.”

James Turvey said skateboarding was more than just a form of transport, it was a subculture with a rich and diverse history in Newcastle.

“Skateboarding as a subculture has always been more than transport. It has its own world, one that seeks to find new terrain, new tricks and new talent. The average bench or steps become a landmark of who’s done what and when,” James said.

“For over thirty-five years Novocastrian skateboarders have been archiving their own history; the city’s stairs, skateparks, benches and backyards have featured in print all over the world.”

The free exhibition opens to the public on 12 August and will run through to 30 October.

Expanding the dust diseases scheme and protecting worker entitlements

The NSW Government today introduced the Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Amendment Bill 2022 to support the operation of the Dust Diseases Care Scheme.
 
The Scheme provides financial compensation and health care support to people affected by work related dust diseases. If passed, the Bill will simplify benefit calculations to ease the administrative burden on injured workers and their families.
 
The amendments will remove anomalies in historical legislation that could have given rise to inconsistencies in the calculation of benefits for injured workers. The changes will mean that all current benefit rates are protected and there is no reduction in entitlements.
 
Minister for Finance Damien Tudehope said the amendments will support the Dust Disease Authority to deliver the Scheme effectively.
 
“The passing of these amendments will contribute to improving the customer experience for workers in the Scheme by removing any potential ambiguity over their entitlements and simplify the calculation of benefits for historical claims.” Mr Tudehope said.
 
The introduction of this Bill was brought forward in the same week that the NSW Government passed the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Amendment (Scheduled Diseases) Regulation 2022 (Regulation).
 
The Regulation ensures the expansion of the Schedule 1 list of diseases as recommended by an independent review conducted by Professor Tim Driscoll.
 
These diseases are based on a current, evidence-based understanding of work-related dust disease and include the following:
 

  • Diffuse dust-related pulmonary fibrosis
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  • Pneumoconiosis (any form)
  • Silica-induced carcinoma of the lung
  • Systemic sclerosis 

 
“Developments in the protection of workers within the workers compensation scheme represent another important step to expanding and safeguarding support for injured workers,    
   
“This is an effort to modernise the Scheme with the interests of those who are gravely ill at the heart of these changes.”