Quarter of a billion a year stripped from Hunter communities by wage-cutting: new analysis 

Analysis of coal mining electorates has found that over a quarter of a billion dollars a year is lost from local economic activity in the Hunter region due to aggressive wage cutting-strategies by mining companies.

A new McKell Institute report released today analyses the impact on local economic activity of mining companies’ widespread replacement of permanent mining jobs with lower-paid labour hire workers. 

It found that in the electorates of Hunter and Paterson, which have the highest proportion of coal employment in NSW, up $235.85 million per year is taken out of the local economy. 

The report contains a detailed analysis of how the labour hire employment model has systemically been used to reduce wages that would otherwise have circulated through local mining regions. Across the five electorates with the highest proportion of coal mining activity nationally, there is nearly a billion dollars a year in lost economic activity. 

“Outsourcing jobs to labour hire companies is a way for mining companies to get around Enterprise Agreements that have been negotiated by workers over decades,” said Mining and Energy Union Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams.  


“By using this wage-cutting strategy, some of our wealthiest corporations have been able to strip up to 40 per cent from the wages of Hunter Valley coal miners and remove conditions like redundancy entitlements. 


“In our local towns like Singleton, Cessnock and Muswellbrook, well-paid mining jobs have traditionally formed the backbone of local economic activity. 

“Secure jobs have been an important part of the social compact between mining companies and host communities. But this report shows how mining companies have washed their hands of this responsibility and communities are being ripped off.” 

One Hunter Valley labour hire coal miner said she joined the industry over five years ago hoping to learn new skills and progress her career.  

“Due to the industry employment practices in the Hunter Valley, this is no longer something that I consider a possibility going forward. I do not see the prospect of moving into a permanent role in the near future, and I now have to consider my options for the security of my family,” said the mineworker, who did not want to use her name for fear of losing her job.

“You can spend years at a site working the same job, on the same roster only to earn up to $60,000 less annually than a permanent mineworker. 

“It is degrading and demoralising to have no choice but to be put in this position just to get a start in the industry with a very minimal chance of gaining a permanent shirt for years to come.” 

Mr Williams said the Mining and Energy Union would continue to campaign for ‘Same Job Same Pay’ laws in the upcoming federal election, so labour hire could be used to address genuine temporary or specialist labour needs but not to undercut wages and conditions in existing Enterprise Agreements. 

Read the report.  

ENOUGH REVIEWS, NSW URGENTLY NEEDS 1000 EXTRA CHILD PROTECTION WORKERS 

A scathing government review into NSW’s child protection services has found that Aboriginal children remain over represented in care, workers are under resourced and overstressed, and urgent reforms remain unimplemented.

In 2019 the Davis Review found the NSW child protection system is overly complex and difficult to navigate for Aboriginal children and families. It called for signifiant reform, in particular the introduction of Aboriginal Case Management Policy (ACMP) which aims to support Aboriginal people and communities to make decisions about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of their children, families, and communities.

The recent Office of the Children’s Guardian’s special report found that the Davis Review-driven reform, particularly ACMP, requires urgent action and an injection of funding and resources to support a more effective implementation approach.

“A generation of Aboriginal children are currently being lost in a system that needs proper investment and reform – but the latest report says that’s not happening,” said Troy Wright, assistant secretary of the Public Service Association.

“The Office of the Children’s Guardian’s special report is utterly disheartening reading and confirms exactly what our members are constantly telling us – there aren’t the people to meet the needs of the community.”

On 30 June 2021, 43% (6,829) of the children and young people in out-of-home care in NSW were Aboriginal, an increase from 41.4% (6,688) from the year earlier. (NSW Budget Estimates 2020-21).

“Nationally, NSW accounts for a third of all Aboriginal children in care. They are over represented in our child protection system and it is a crisis.

“Yet despite this we know caseworkers are only seeing a third (29%) of kids at risk of serious harm. We need 1,000 more case workers to meet demand.”

The union is calling for the urgent hiring of 1000 further case workers to deliver relief to the existing workforce already suffering extreme burnout, and to assist with better delivering the overdue reforms.

“The only responsible way to improve the child protection and out-of-home care system is resourced recruitment, training, and retention of and properly supported foster carers and case workers through a publicly-funded system.

“Of course it’s not just child protection that has been cut to shreds. Services we know help people rebuild their lives – like drug rehabilitation facilities and domestic violence shelters – have also been stripped of funding.

“Many child protection services have effectively been privatised – with out-of-home care foster placements undertaken through external providers. The total reliance on this sector for service delivery has led to price gouging, cherry picking of clients, and a lack of accountability.

“We want social workers and case workers working with families who need help, not negotiating contracts with unaccountable, untransparent private providers.”

Vinnies welcomes housing and homelessness commitments 

St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia welcomes the commitment by the Australian Labor Party to develop a National Housing and Homelessness Plan and establish a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council.

National President Ms Claire Victory said housing is a fundamental human right, vital to human dignity.

‘For too long, federal governments have failed to provide national leadership to address the growing housing crisis and support access to affordable and safe housing,’ Ms Victory said.

‘The Australian dream has become a nightmare, with a whole generation unable to afford a home and a growing number of Australians at risk of becoming homeless as wages and income supports fail to keep up with surging costs of living,’ Ms Victory said.

‘For years, Vinnies has been calling on the Federal Government to deliver a national housing strategy and to work with all governments and stakeholders to address the housing crisis. 

‘Labor’s commitment to develop a National Housing and Homelessness Plan and establish a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council in consultation with key stakeholders is a welcome and important step forward. This will give some hope to many Australians locked out of home ownership or at risk of homelessness,’ Ms Victory said.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has long advocated for a well-designed and targeted shared equity housing program to help low-and-middle income earners into a home, while avoiding upward pressure on prices.

‘The Help to Buy shared equity program will also provide modest assistance and is welcome as part of a broader approach promising structural reform,’ Ms Victory said.

St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia calls on all parties and candidates at this month’s federal election to do more to address Australia’s housing and homelessness crisis.

‘Australia desperately needs further reforms to address the housing and homelessness crisis,’ Ms Victory said.

‘We call on all parties to commit to increasing JobSeeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance, reinstating the National Rental Affordability Scheme, funding the National Low Income Energy Productivity Program, and establishing national minimum standards for renters and landlords to manage tenancy issues,’ Ms Victory said.

These demands are set out in Vinnies federal election statement, A Fairer Australia.

Labor EV commitment would help pave the way to an electric future 

The Electric Vehicle Council has welcomed Labor’s commitment to investing in the nation’s EV changing network, which would help every Australian embrace the benefits of electric vehicles.

At its election launch today, Labor committed to encouraging cheaper, cleaner transport by establishing a new Driving the Nation Fund, and by building a National Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Network.

Labor’s investment in the EV Charging Network, with charging stations at an average interval of 150km on major roads, would be matched by the NRMA, and involve partnerships with State, Territory and local Governments.

EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari said the proposed investment would send a potent signal to consumers and the EV industry.

“Under Labor’s commitment you could be certain that no matter where you live or where you’re going you could get there in an EV,” Mr Jafari said.

“We know range anxiety remains a major impediment to Australians purchasing EVs. Although much of this anxiety is misplaced, building a modern network of charging infrastructure would send a strong signal that there’s nothing to fear.

“City drivers are flocking to EVs because the benefits are so clear and obvious. For regional drivers hesitancy is stronger, but that’s why it’s excellent to see the NRMA committing to partnering with the federal government to roll out regional charging infrastructure and make EVs an option for all Australians.

“Despite some very unfortunate fear mongering and a general lack of ambition at the federal level in recent years, Australians are now wide awake to the myriad benefits of EVs.

“If they can see the Australian Government is in behind this shift we will see a rapid acceleration of progress.

“The EVC congratulates the alternate government on this important commitment to Australia’s transport future.”

Greens to preference Labor to kick Morrison out

Greens Leader Adam Bandt announced today that the Greens would preference Labor ahead of the Liberals across the country. Greens Local and State branches finalised preference recommendations for how-to-vote cards this week ahead of early voting polling booths opening on May 9.

Greens how-to-vote cards, distributed at polling booths, will recommend a preference for Labor above the Coalition and place other right wing parties last. The Greens will also recommend a preference for climate independents in key Liberal held seats.

In the Senate the Greens will also recommend preferences to progressive candidates and Labor. 

Door knocking with volunteers in his electorate of Melbourne today, Mr Bandt also reminded voters that they decide where to put their preferences, not political parties.

The Greens are running in 151 seats across the country and Greens preferences will be critical in many key marginal seats.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“At this election everyone should Vote 1 Greens to kick the Liberals out and put the Greens in the balance of power to push the next government to act on the climate crisis, get dental and mental health into Medicare and build affordable housing.

“People can safely vote Greens knowing they’ll kick Scott Morrison out and their preferences will go to Labor. If you follow the Greens’ how-to-vote card, your preferences will go to Labor.

“Across the country Greens how-to-vote cards will recommend preferencing Labor ahead of Scott Morrison and the Coalition.

“The Greens have put the Coalition, Palmer’s United Australia Party, One Nation and other extreme right wing parties last across every seat in Australia.” 

“In a number of Liberal seats, we’re recommending people vote 1 Greens then preference an independent.

“Voters get to decide where their preferences go, not political parties, but if you vote Greens and follow our how-to-vote card you will be helping kick Scott Morrison out.”

Labor Help to Buy Homes

An Albanese Labor Government will cut the cost of buying a home by up to 40 per cent for 10,000 Australians per year. 
 
Help to Buy will help Australians buy a home with a smaller deposit, a smaller mortgage and smaller mortgage repayments. 
 
In some parts of Australia this will cut the cost of a mortgage by up to $380,000. 
 
We have a housing crisis in Australia.  It’s harder to buy a home today than ever before. 
 
It’s hard in our big cities. It’s also hard in the regions.   
 
It’s hard for first home buyers. It’s also hard for many older Australians. 
 
The biggest drop in home ownership is amongst Australians on low and modest incomes who have been forced to give up on the great Australian dream. 
 
Forty years ago, almost 60 per cent of young Australians on low and modest incomes owned their own home. Now, it is only 28 per cent. 
 
An Albanese Labor Government will provide eligible homebuyers with an equity contribution of up to 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent of the purchase price for an existing home.  
 
The homebuyer will need to have a deposit of 2 per cent and qualify for a standard home loan with a participating lender to finance the remainder of the purchase.   
 
The following table shows how much people will save on their mortgage under Labor’s Help to Buy in different cities and regions.

Note – Regional centres include Newcastle & Lake  Macquarie, Illawarra, Central Coast, North Coast of NSW, Geelong, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. 
 

Homebuyers will also avoid the need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), representing an additional saving, depending on purchase location, of potentially more than $30,000.

This will help many Australians on low and modest incomes to buy a home with a much smaller mortgage that they can afford to pay rather than renting for the rest of their life. 

During the loan period the homebuyer can buy an additional stake in the home when they are able to do so.  

The homebuyer will not be required to pay rent on the stake of the home owned by the Federal Government.  

This scheme is not just for first homebuyers, it’s for other Australians who need a helping hand as well. 
 
Help to Buy will be available to Australians with a taxable income of up to $90,000 for individuals and up to $120,000 for couples. Homebuyers must be Australian citizens and not currently own or have an interest in a residential dwelling.  
 
Help to Buy will make money for the Government as the Federal Government will recover its equity and its share of the capital gain when the house is sold. 

Help to Buy will cost around $329 million over the forward estimates.  

National Housing Supply and Affordability Council

An Albanese Labor Government will also establish a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, to ensure the Commonwealth plays a leadership role in increasing housing supply and improving affordability.

The Council will be advised by experts including from the finance, economics, urban development, residential construction, urban planning and social housing sectors. 
 
More land supply and better land use planning will improve housing affordability and provide a boost to national productivity and economic growth – but the only way to achieve this is by partnering with the States and Territories.

The Council will set targets for land supply, in consultation with States and Territories. It will also collect and make public nationally consistent data on housing supply, demand and affordability.

The Council will also have a key role in developing Labor’s National Housing and Homelessness Plan – something the Morrison Government has refused to do.

Doubling foreign investment fees and penalties

To pay for our housing affordability polices, Labor will double foreign investment screening fees and financial penalties. 

These changes will commence from July 2022 and raise around $445 million over the forward estimates. 

Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Australian Labor Party said: 

“After nine long years in Government, housing affordability has only got worse under the Liberal-National Government. 

“Help to Buy is part of Labor’s plan to tackle the housing crisis.” 

Jim Chalmers, Shadow Treasurer said:

“There is a housing crisis in Australia – it’s harder to buy a home than ever before. It’s harder in the big cities and harder in the regions. 

“It’s harder for first home buyers and harder for many older Australians. Many people on modest incomes have been forced to give up the Australian dream. Help to Buy will address this.”

Jason Clare, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness said: 

“It’s harder to buy, harder to rent and there are more homeless Australians than ever before.

“Help to Buy will help Australians buy a home with a smaller deposit, a smaller mortgage and smaller mortgage repayments.

“This will help a lot of Australians buy a home with a smaller mortgage that they can afford to repay, instead of renting for the rest of their lives.” 

Multiple charges after M1 crash – Lake Macquarie PD 

A man is facing 13 offences in Newcastle court tomorrow after a stolen car was involved in a high-speed crash on the M1 overnight.

Emergency services were called to the Motorway at Cooranbong shortly before 11pm (Friday 29 April 2022), after a southbound Toyota RAV4 allegedly hit the rear of Mitsubishi Triton ute at high speed.

This forced the ute into trees on the median strip, trapping the driver, a 31-year-old man.

Members of the public and officers from Lake Macquarie Police District released the driver, who was examined by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, did not need further treatment.

The driver of the SUV – which had been reported stolen from Warriewood earlier that day – allegedly left the scene and was unable to be found despite a search by a Police Dog Unit.

Southbound traffic on the Motorway was disrupted for more than two hours while the vehicles were recovered, with the stolen SUV towed for forensic examination.

A search for the driver was unsuccessful until about 7am today (Saturday 30 April 2022), when the driver of a Mazda2 reported she’d been stopped down by a man standing on the roadway not far from crash scene. He then allegedly used a metal pole to smash her windscreen.

The 52-year-old female driver accelerated away before alerting police; she and her 17-year-old daughter were shaken but uninjured.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended the scene and arrested a 31-year-old man nearby a short time later. The man was taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with 13 offences,

  • Destroy or damage property (two counts)
  • Armed with intent to commit indictable offence (two counts)
  • Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (two counts)
  • Negligent driving
  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV)
  • Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (DV)
  • Common assault (DV)
  • Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
  • Steal property in dwelling-house
  • Not give particulars to other driver.

The domestic-violence-related charges relate to the alleged assault of a 30-year-old woman at Warriewood yesterday morning. She was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital for treatment and has since been released.

The man, who is from Umina Beach, has been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Bail Court tomorrow (Sunday 1 May 2022).

ASC tribute to AOC leaders, AIS doctor earns top honour

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has paid tribute to John Coates AC for his leadership of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) over the past 32 years, while welcoming the opportunity to work with incoming AOC President Ian Chesterman AM during an exciting era for Australian sport.The ASC also praised the outstanding work of Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Chief Medical Officer Dr David Hughes, who was today awarded the AOC’s highest honour, the AOC Order of Merit. Mr Coates stood down as AOC President at its Annual General Meeting today and ASC Chair Josephine Sukkar AM commended the incredible legacy he had established.”For more than three decades as AOC President, John has devoted himself to the advancement of Australian sport, especially the Olympic sports that inspire and unite our nation,” Mrs Sukkar said. “His staunch dedication to Australian sport extends far beyond his role as AOC President, indeed he provided strong service to the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport as a Commissioner during our formative years in the 1980s and 90s. John’s influence on Australian and international sport has been profound and we know his leadership will long continue, including in roles with the AOC and International Olympic Committee Boards.”ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM was an athlete on three of the six Olympic teams where Mr Coates was Chef de Mission and was also part of the Sydney 2000 bid team alongside him. “When you consider it took 60 years for Australia to first host the modern Olympics, at Melbourne in 1956, it is incredible to think that John played such a prominent role in securing both the 2000 Sydney Games and the 2032 Brisbane Games during his stewardship as AOC President,” Mr Perkins said. “The platform is set for an exciting decade ahead.”Mrs Sukkar welcomed the appointment of Ian Chesterman AM as new AOC President.”The recent Tokyo and Beijing Games were a triumph and in the next decade we have a wonderful opportunity to build on this momentum,” Mrs Sukkar said. “Australian sport is working closer together as part of the National High Performance Sport Strategy. We look forward to continuing to work with the AOC as we drive a collective vision for sport in Australia and build sustainable success on the road to the 2032 Brisbane Games and beyond.”AIS Chief Medical Officer Dr David Hughes was honoured today by the AOC with an Order of Merit Award, having led the Australian Olympic medical team for the past two Summer Olympics in Rio and Tokyo.”Tokyo was an unprecedented Olympic experience, first postponed and then staged in the midst of a global pandemic,” Mr Perkins said. “For the Australian team to thrive as they did in Tokyo, without incident, is testament to the professionalism, diligence and leadership of Dr Hughes and his medical team.”We may never see another Games like Tokyo but we, at the ASC are lucky to see every day the significant contribution Dr Hughes makes to Australian sport. His work impacts Australian sport at every level, from community participation to our Australian representative athletes. He has trained, mentored and influenced a vast network of medical staff and Chief Medical Officers throughout Australia’s sporting industry. “David was a key driver in world-leading protocols that helped Australians return to community and high performance sport when COVID-19 first struck in 2020. He continues to lead work on vital areas such as sport-related concussion and the National Sport Injury Database project. It’s wonderful to see the AOC recognise David with this deserved award.”

Liberal, Labor coal and gas addiction driving up power prices

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has laid the blame for rising power prices on the government’s failure to make progress on the transition to renewable energy with storage and Labor’s pledge that coal-fired power stations will remain in the system just as long under Labor as under Liberal.

AEMO was very explicit that the cause of the price rise was primarily coal power station breakdowns and rising coal prices.

Adam Bandt MP said:

“Coal is driving up the cost of electricity. We need a plan to switch from coal to renewables, but Liberal and Labor are both pledging to keep coal in the system for longer. 

“So long as Liberal and Labor governments keep running a protection racket for coal and gas, Australians will pay the price in their power bills.”

“With the Liberals propping up ageing, unreliable coal and Labor vowing that no coal fired power station will close early, the only way to get Australia out of coal is to put the Greens into balance of power.

“The Greens plan is for an orderly closure of coal-fired power stations by 2030, large scale investment in publicly-owned renewables and storage, and an end to subsidies for coal and gas.

“The Greens also have a plan that will help people get batteries for their homes and switch from gas to renewables, cutting power bills and cutting pollution. Government support has helped bring down the cost of solar panels, and the Greens want to do the same with batteries.”

Robodebt Royal Commission

An Albanese Labor Government will expose the truth of the Morrison Government’s illegal Robodebt scheme, return integrity to the public service, and ensure a disaster like this never happens again. 
 
If elected, Labor will establish a Royal Commission into Robodebt by the end of this year. Our consultation will begin after the election.
 
An Albanese Labor Government would ask a Royal Commission to examine and report on the Robodebt scheme, consistent with these key objectives which will be reflected in the Terms of Reference:

  1. To establish who was responsible for establishing Robodebt scheme.
  2. To establish what advice, and what process or processes, informed the design and implementation of the Robodebt scheme.
  3. To investigate the handling of complaints about the Robodebt scheme – including in relation to the scheme’s legality –by Services Australia, the Department of Human Services, other relevant Commonwealth agencies and Ministers. 
  4. To determine how much the implementation, suspension and wind-back of the Robodebt scheme cost taxpayers.
  5. To investigate the harm caused to law-abiding Australians by the Robodebt scheme
  6. To investigate the use of third-party debt collectors under the Robodebt scheme.

 
Our consultation after the election will inform the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission.
 
The Morrison Government has consistently denied, obstructed and covered-up the origins of the Robodebt scandal and refused to take responsibility. 
 
It is only when Labor organised a class action that a $1.8 billion settlement was made to repay victims and keep ministers out of the witness box. 
 
It is vital that Robodebt victims and the broader Australian public know the truth of the Robodebt disaster. 
 
We need to learn the truth of Robodebt’s origins so that such an atrocity can never again be perpetrated by an Australian Government against its citizens. 
 
The illegal and immoral Robodebt scheme caused untold carnage in the Australian community – stress, anxiety, financial destitution and even suicide. 
 

Anthony Albanese said: 
“Robodebt was a human tragedy, wrought by this government. Against all evidence, and all the outcry, the government insisted on using algorithms instead of people to pursue debt recovery against Australians who in many cases had no debt to pay. It caused untold misery. Only an Albanese Labor Government will find out the truth.” 
 

Bill Shorten said:
“We still do not know how this reckless scheme was unleashed. We do not know whether poor legal advice was given or whether legal advice was simply never sought. We do not know if public servants were inappropriately heavied and politicised. And without knowing the true origins we do not know what safeguards could be put in place to prevent a repeat.”