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Greens to save Great Barrier Reef with $2 billion plan

Today in Cairns the Greens have announced a more than $2 billion plan to save the Great Barrier Reef and the workers who rely upon it for their livelihood, as the Reef remains at serious risk from the effects of climate change and poor water quality.

Last year the Reef narrowly avoided a World Heritage Committee “In Danger” listing after cynical lobbying by a Morrison Government desperate to avoid another PR disaster, but Australia was given just one year to pull up its socks on Reef protection.

Under this government’s watch, half of the Reef’s coral cover has died over three mass coral bleaching events, in 2016, 2017 and 2020, bleaching events driven and exacerbated by the climate crisis being fuelled by the burning of coal, oil and gas.

As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, an employer of 60,000 people, and one of Australia’s greatest tourist attractions, we must take serious action to protect what’s left of our Reef.

The Greens will:

Act rapidly on the climate crisis by boosting clean energy and banning new coal and gas;
Improve Reef water quality with a $2 billion grant fund over 10 years available to scientists, governments and farmers to improve farming practises and repair catchments; and set legal caps on water pollution by catchment
Reclaim the balance of the $443 million grant made to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and reallocate the funds through a new grants process
Properly fund the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science with $90 million in extra funding and stronger powers
Stop damaging coal and gas port expansions
Ban offshore dumping of dredge spoil

The Greens’ plan to save the Reef forms part of our “Green Australia” policy initiative which can be found here.

Greens deputy leader and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters said:

“You can’t save the Reef by making climate change worse. Scott Morrison flew to Queensland last month and promised less than half of what’s needed to fix water quality, and totally ignored the climate crisis which is imperilling the Reef.

“Meanwhile he had denied tourism businesses JobKeeper while the economic effects of the pandemic continued to hurt the industry, and gave handouts to airlines instead of local tourism operators.

“The Prime Minister’s $1 billion over 10 years announcement was self-defeating and hollow rhetoric, when it is just one per cent of the public money he gifts to coal and gas, which is driving the decline of the Reef.

“The Morrison Government has turbo-charged the climate crisis by funnelling billions of dollars of public money into the pockets of their fossil fuel donors to ramp up coal and gas production. The federal government has put the Reef, and the 60,000 people who depend on it for their livelihoods, at serious risk – just so they can keep their donation gravy train rolling.

“The world is watching. World Heritage Committee representatives are coming to visit the Reef before the Committee makes its final decision on the “In danger listing” – they will want to see real action, and they’ll see right through the government’s empty promises.

“The Greens are the only party with a comprehensive plan to protect the Reef, and we’re the only party talking seriously about the climate crisis and the need to transition away from coal and gas to clean renewable energy.

“In balance of power after the next election the Greens will push for a freeze on all new coal, gas and oil projects while Parliament negotiates new climate legislation, and we’ll push the next government to act swiftly to save the Reef before it is lost forever.”

Greens candidate for Leichhardt Phillip Musumeci said:

“The LNP will tell you that we can’t afford to phase out fossil fuels – but the opposite is true. We can’t afford not to.

“From Cairns to Thursday Island, it’s obvious to those of us who live and work in the Far North that climate change is already affecting our lives.

“From the failing health of the Reef, to the increase in extreme weather events, and the impacts on biodiversity, the Far North is suffering from the effects of climate change more than most other parts of Australia. And without serious and urgent intervention it will get worse.

“Not only will a transition to clean and renewable energy help to keep global temperatures below the 1.5-degree increase scientists tell us we must not exceed, it will also create hundreds of thousands of well-paid, long-term jobs, ensuring we leave no one behind.

“By kicking out this Coalition of chaos and putting more Greens in parliament we can push the next government to tackle the climate crisis, save the Reef and build a future for all of us.”

Snowy reimagined as Greens go big on renewables

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP has announced a bold plan to expand and repurpose Snowy Hydro, the Commonwealth owned corporation, to build over 25 GW of wind, solar and energy storage over the next decade, the equivalent to Australia’s current coal generation capacity. The Greens will push for this plan in balance of power after the next election.

The expanded and repurposed ‘Snowy Hydro 3.0’ – renamed Clean Energy Australia – will be supplied with $40 billion of equity over the decade by the Commonwealth to invest in the equivalent capacity to Australia’s remaining 20 coal fired power stations.

The plan will also create a new not-for-profit electricity retailer from Snowy Hydro, called Power Australia, that will sell electricity on a cost-price basis, driving down household and business power bills. Power Australia will incorporate Snowy’s current retail arms, Lumo and Red Energy.

The plan will also reverse the Liberal-Labor subsidy of $600m to build a gas-fired power plant in the Hunter Valley.
Mr Bandt unveiled the plan in Canberra where a Labor-Greens government has already transitioned the ACT to 100% renewables and has a government owned retailer.

The Greens want to kick the Liberals out and put the Greens in the balance of power in the House of Representatives and the Senate to ensure the next government takes real climate action.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said

“To fight the climate crisis and to secure Australia’s economic prosperity we need a large scale public investment in renewables, not subsidies for coal and gas.”

“The government’s plan locks the Snowy Hydro into a fossil fuelled failure with expensive and polluting gas. In balance of power the Greens will kick the Liberals out and push for a big build of renewables.

“This investment will push out coal and gas and create tens of thousands of jobs by providing cheap electricity and making Australia a renewable energy superpower.

“With a massive government-led build of renewables, we can tackle the climate crisis while growing jobs.

“Cheap electricity from the sun and the wind should be Australia’s international advantage. By selling electricity at cost-price to homes and businesses, we will drive down power bills, attract energy-intensive industries to Australia and become the region’s clean energy hub.

“We need a Snowy Hydro for the twenty-first century, with the biggest public investment in infrastructure we’ve seen for decades to get us to zero emissions as quickly as possible.

“Liberal and Labor talk up renewables, but they want more coal and gas, not less, and they don’t have a policy to drive investment at the scale we need.”

“Clean Energy Australia will lead our plan to power past coal and gas and into a clean energy future and a safe climate.”

Greens MLA and ACT Energy Minister Shane Rattenbury said

“The ACT is 100 percent renewable electricity because the government took a deliberate decision to make it happen.

The climate crisis means we don’t have the time to sit back and passively wait for the market to solve it – government can and must play a leadership role. The ACT has shown what is possible when you do that.

The community is not only supportive, but many are proud of this achievement, and the policy has created significant economic and job opportunities in the ACT, with around $500 million of local investment resulting from the policy.

Labor to Invest $11.6 Million for Health Facility in Palmerston

An Albanese Labor Government would provide a permanent home for Danila Dilba Health Service in Palmerston.

Labor would invest $11.6 million for a new clinic to deliver medical and wellbeing services to the Palmerston community.

Danila Dilba currently provides services to over 15,000 clients. Labor’s investment will help them meet growing demand as the First Nations population in the area they serve grows and ages.

One of the lessons of the pandemic is that well-supported local medical services in high-quality facilities are central to keeping our community healthy and safe.

Culturally safe primary health care is central to making sure we close the life expectancy gap.

Labor is committed to working with First Nations controlled organisations to Close the Gap.

Labor introduced the Closing the Gap targets, and Labor will always invest in communities to make sure Australia meets those targets.

Labor will work closely with the Danila Dilba and the Northern Territory Government to finalise the best location for them to deliver expanded primary care services in Palmerston.

The Morrison-Joyce Government treats communities in the Northern Territory as too far away to bother supporting. They failed to get First Nations communities vaccinated. They failed to provide enough PPE. They failed to provide enough tests to keep services running, let alone keep people safe.

It’s time we had a government which would make sure NT communities have the health facilities and services they deserve – an Albanese Labor government.

Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade to begin 14 March

The long-awaited revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths will kick off on March 14 with stage one works to improve the safety, water quality and accessibility of the much-loved community facility.

The $14.5m first phase will focus on the pools, lower promenade and pumping system, addressing key issues identified through detailed community engagement and engineering advice.

The Ocean Baths will be closed for the duration of the work, which is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle (CN) had worked with the construction contractor on a program to limit the overall disruption to users and impact just one summer season.

“City of Newcastle has worked closely with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group and other stakeholders during the planning and design stages of this project, with improved public health and safety, accessibility, and community preferences among the key considerations,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Staff have worked closely with the contractor on a plan to limit disruption to users, including keeping the Baths open through this current summer season and aiming to open prior to summer 2023.

“With the Newcastle Ocean Baths turning 100 this November, we are committed to ensuring this upgrade meets the needs of current and future users and look forward to this project delivering significantly improved facilities, which can be enjoyed for the community for years to come.”

As part of the upgrade, the iconic bleacher seating will be retained, the boardwalk will be renewed, and a new pump system will be installed that can replace the water of the baths within six hours, significantly improving water quality.

The sand floor amenity will be retained while capping the undulating rock bottom of the pool with concrete to ensure the pool can continue to be used for walk based activities, as well as to improve safety and water quality. Sand will continue to build up on the floor by the same processes as today with sand washing into the pool via ocean waves. CN will also consider manually replacing fresh sand in the pool following its annual clean depending on forecast swell and weather conditions.

The stage one work will deliver significant improvements for people with a disability or low mobility, including ramp access and improved handrail support into the pool.

The $9.5 million recovered from the sale of CN’s Fred Ash building is helping fund the Newcastle Ocean Baths Stage One upgrade along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program.

The next stage of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade will focus on the pavilion and surrounding public areas. This phase is subject to community consultation which is expected to start this year.

Fresh pathways into work for the next generation of agriculture

Budding agronomists, livestock managers and farmers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a two-year employment program to get a head start in the agriculture industry.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the Agricultural Pathways Program targets recent school leavers to join the managing teams of the Department of Primary Industries’ 13,000-hectare research station portfolio.

“Ag provides incredible career opportunities and a fantastic way of life, and we are looking forward to the next generation stepping into this space,” Mr Saunders said.

“From precision agriculture to drone technology and finding innovative solutions for tomorrow, there has never been a more exciting time to be in the industry.

“The best way to secure our agriculture workforce for tomorrow is to invest in the next generation today.”

Successful applicants will take on the role of Farm Assistant, with key accountabilities including general crop, pasture, animal and farm operations, horticultural activities, livestock handling, tractor and farm equipment maintenance and general farm upkeep.

The program adds to the NSW Government’s approach to supporting the future agriculture workforce of NSW, with education and skill-based programs that start in primary and secondary school, through to tertiary and post-tertiary education levels, including Indigenous Pathway opportunities and the dedicated educational institution Tocal College.

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said it is important for the NSW Government to continue thinking outside the box when it comes to vocational education and training.

“We want to provide more opportunities for young people to get the skills they need for the jobs they want, and this program is another great example of that,” Mr Henskens said.

“By giving school leavers a foot-in-the-door, they can learn on the job and build industry connections, which in turn helps employers identify talent for ongoing roles within the sector.”

Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin said the program will play a key role in promoting agricultural careers in the regions for young people across the state.

“Not only does the Agricultural Pathways program offer employment and training to young people, it also encourages them to stay local instead of having to travel to a city for further education, work, or training, which is a fantastic result,” Mr Franklin said.

Applications are open for the NSW Government’s Agricultural Pathways Program. For more information visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are/career-opportunities

NSW welcomes 291 paramedic interns to its ranks

The people of NSW will have close to 300 new paramedics to call on in the coming weeks following a graduation ceremony held at Sydney Olympic Park today.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the additional graduates are a welcome boost to the NSW Ambulance workforce, which has been doing an incredible job on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the health system, we’ve seen our health workers go above and beyond during the pandemic and our wonderful NSW Ambulance paramedics are among those leading the charge,” Mrs Taylor said.

“These vital reinforcements come at a crucial time and the entire State will benefit from the surge.”

Speaking at the NSW Ambulance Paramedic graduation ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park today, Mrs Taylor congratulated the 153 new paramedic interns graduating today, with a further 80 paramedic interns beginning four weeks of intensive induction next week, and 58 already on the road.

“It is really wonderful that many of our paramedic interns were able to join today’s graduation ceremony virtually from locations across regional NSW.

“Importantly, 63 paramedics of today’s 153 graduates will be starting their new roles in rural and regional areas, including the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan welcomed this newest group of interns and congratulated them on achieving this milestone after completing three years at University.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our clinicians, emergency medical call takers and dispatchers have done to serve the community in what has been the busiest period in our history. What they have achieved and continue to do so is nothing short of remarkable,” Dr Morgan said.

The NSW Government has made record investments in NSW Ambulance recruiting 750 paramedics and control centre staff in the last four years as part of the State Wide Enhancement Program (SWEP).

The NSW Government has invested more than $9 billion in NSW Ambulance since 2011 including $1.4 billion in the 2021-22 budget. This includes $214 million for a new State Operations Centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

NSW Government Update To Covid-19 Settings

The NSW Government is taking a staged and flexible approach to the easing of restrictions as the State continues to take a measured response to managing COVID-19.

From the beginning of Friday, 18 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the current settings:

No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues);
QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs, and for all music festivals with more than 1,000 people. Hospitals, aged and disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors;
Singing and dancing will be permitted at all venues, except music festivals, where singing and dancing can recommence from 25 February;
The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.

From the beginning of Friday, 25 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the settings:

Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people;
Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer facing retail staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services;
Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks and will implement as necessary; and
The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted. Vaccination requirements will remain for indoor music festivals over 1,000 people, with attendees required to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Hotel quarantine for unvaccinated returning travellers will be reduced from 14 to 7 days from 21 February.

With hospitalisation and ICU rates easing and booster uptake now above 50 per cent a staged return of non-urgent elective surgery across all NSW public hospitals has commenced and will be increased through February to March.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is continuing to adopt a flexible and measured approach to protect the community and our health system.

“We don’t want restrictions in place for any longer than necessary and with hospitalisation and ICU rates trending downwards now is the right time to make sensible changes,” Mr Perrottet said.

“As we continue to move forward out of the pandemic we are ensuring that we keep people safe and people in jobs so life can return to normal as quickly and safely as possible.”

“Our frontline health staff have done an incredible job protecting the community and we need everyone to step up and do the right thing and get their booster shots to help keep themselves, their family and the community safe.”

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the NSW Government has worked hard to strike the right balance between re-opening the State and keeping everyone safe.

”Regional communities have already welcomed back visitors with open arms, and these further freedoms are a big win for everyone who has done the right thing to get us this far,” Mr Toole said.

“This measured response will reinvigorate our regional communities, with country shows, festivals and other major events able to return bigger than ever.”

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said we needed everyone to play their part as we dealt with the challenges the pandemic would continue to throw at us.

“As we are moving more into the endemic stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes are giving us more of our old life back but it still makes a lot of sense for us all to be cautious,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The best outcome is still to avoid getting the virus by protecting yourself, your family and the broader community.”

People aged 16 years and older can receive their booster dose at three months after receiving their second dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines. You can book your COVID-19 vaccine or your booster shot, via www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated.

More information is available at nsw.gov.au.

Applications are now open for the small business support program

Small businesses that experienced a downturn over summer can now apply for a NSW Government support payment of up to $5,000 per week through Service NSW.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the Small Business Support Program will provide cashflow assistance to help businesses get through the current COVID-19 outbreak and keep workers employed.

“Over the summer, Omicron meant many people chose to stay at home, which hit many small businesses hard especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” Mr Kean said.

“Our Small Business Support Program is about making sure businesses that are viable over the medium and long term get through Omicron in good shape so we can bounce back better as case numbers fall.

“Small business is the engine of the NSW economy and this targeted program is designed to keep that engine going through this temporary economic shock.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the Service NSW Business Concierge team and grant assessors are standing by ready to assist customers with applications and get financial support into the hands of business owners.

“The majority of customers submitting complete and eligible applications can expect to receive payment within five to 10 business days of approval of their application,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said the program was part of a suite of responses to the Omicron wave and was designed to help the businesses in greatest need.

“The program will provide targeted support to businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent in January 2022 and the start of February 2022,” Ms Petinos said.

“The payment for employing businesses will cover up to 20 per cent of weekly payroll, up to a maximum of $5,000 per week. Eligible non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, will receive $500 per week.
“This program is important to assist small businesses with cash flow and to continue trading.”

Funds can be used to cover business expenses such as wages, rent, loss of perishable goods, professional services and other costs.

Applications can be made online through the Service NSW MyAccount, by visiting a local service centre or by calling 13 77 88.

For more information on the support program, please visit:
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/2022-small-business-support-program

$100 billion investment potential for hunter central coast renewable energy zone

Commercial interest in renewable generation and storage projects representing almost 40 gigawatts and more than $100 billion of potential investment have been received in the registration of interest for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said the overwhelming result shows that the Hunter and Central Coast will continue to be the energy powerhouse of NSW long into the future.

“These results show that energy investors see the Hunter and Central Coast as some of the best investment destinations anywhere in the country, which will translate into jobs and prosperity for the region,” Mr Kean said.

“Renewable Energy Zones are vital to ensuring the future reliability and affordability of electricity in NSW as traditional coal fired power stations close down over the coming decades.”
Commercial interest has been registered in:

24 solar energy projects
13 onshore and seven offshore wind energy projects
35 large-scale batteries and
eight pumped hydro projects.

Together, these projects have the potential to deliver more than 100,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy a year – equivalent to the annual output of up to 10 coal fired power stations.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said that the results of the registration of interest showed that the region is set to reap the jobs and investment rewards from the transformation of the energy system.

“The REZ will not only attract investment in clean energy, it will also underpin the growth of new low carbon industries such as green hydrogen, ammonia and metals production which the world is going to need as it decarbonises,” Mr Crouch said.

Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell, said the renewable energy zone provide a boost to the region and set up the state to be an economic and energy superpower.

“The Hunter-Central Coast region is the perfect location for a new REZ as it has good renewable energy resources, access to transmission, transport and port infrastructure, and most importantly, a highly skilled workforce,” Mr Layzell said.

The response to the Hunter-Central Coast REZ continues the huge market interest in the Renewable Energy Zones that are being developed across NSW, following earlier processes in the Central West Orana, New England and South West regions which have attracted a combined 95 gigawatts of interest.

The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) is in the early stages of planning the Hunter-Central Coast REZ and will be using this information to inform the timing, capacity and boundaries of the Hunter-Central Coast REZ.

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

It is expected that the Hunter-Central Coast REZ will be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by mid-2022.

More information can be found HERE

ADFA WELCOMES NEW TRAINEE OFFICERS AT CDF PARADE

The Australian Defence Force Academy’s (ADFA) incoming Midshipmen and Officer Cadets were formally welcomed today at the annual Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Parade.

The CDF Parade marks the culmination of the initial military training period for more than 330 first year Midshipmen and Officer Cadets and their acceptance as members of the corps of Trainee Officers at ADFA.

Acting Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston, congratulated ADFA’s newest Midshipmen and Officer Cadets on completing their initial military period.

“Over the past three weeks, the Midshipmen and Officer Cadets were introduced to life in the Australian Defence Force including activities such as drill, physical training, leadership and ethics education, and weapons handling,” Vice Admiral Johnston said.

“This is just the beginning of military life for these young men and women who are the future of our Defence Force and our partner Defence Forces.”

The new Trainee Officers will now commence university studies at the University of New South Wales Canberra, co-located with ADFA, alongside ongoing military training.

“This unique combination of university education and military training prepares Midshipmen and Officer Cadets intellectually, physically and ethically for their future roles as officers and leaders in the Navy, Army and Air Force,” Vice Admiral Johnston said.

“ADFA is just the first step in a fantastic career in the Australian Defence Force and foreign militaries for this year’s incoming class of Trainee Officers, and I will be following their progress with interest.”