Category: Australia

Categories
Australia

Victoria government rejects Ombudsman recommendation to compensate locked-out residents

the victorian government has rejected the Ombudsman’s recommendation that it compensate residents who were “inhumanely” shut out of the state during last year’s COVID-19 lockdown.

The government ruled it would not offer compensation back in May, however the decision has only just come to light, as it was published on an obscure part of a government website.

Thousands of Victorians were locked out of the state on July 23, 2021, when the state government closed the NSW border for the first time in 100 years due to the large outbreak of COVID-19 in NSW.

Victoria Police stop motorists entering the state on the NSW-Victoria border at Albury in January. (Jason Robbins)
The Victorian Ombudsman investigated how the government handled the border closure, and tabled recommended actions for the government to take, including the suggestion that the government consider financially compensating those affected, in parliament in December.

Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass’ investigation found that the border closure process led to “some of the most questionable decisions (she had) seen in (her) over seven years as Ombudsman”, leading to a “torrent of anger and grief”.

“The closure of Victoria’s borders in July 2021 impacted thousands of Victorians in few ways, if any, could ever have contemplated,” her report read.

It explained that on July 20, 2021, Victorian residents in red zones were given 12 hours to cross the border, which was “an impossibility for many, especially the elderly or those with young children in remote parts of NSW”, before the lockout began on July 23.

Only people with valid exemptions were then allowed to return to Victoria.

Passengers at Sydney airport just hours before the NSW-Victoria border closure began. (Getty)

The Ombudsman said complaints she received about people not granted an exemption were “heartbreaking”, including people who had traveled to visit ill relatives and people made homeless because their homes were in Victoria.

Only eight per cent of the 33,252 exemption applications filed between July 9 and September 14, 2021, were granted by the government, with many applications failing because people did not have the documentation requested by the government.

“Rather than fairly considering individual circumstances and the risks associated with them, the exemptions scheme was a blunt instrument that resulted in unjust outcomes, potentially for thousands of people,” the Ombudsman concluded.

Glass said it was hard to understand why some applications were not granted.

“Aside from the myriad of cases that should have been cause for compassion, it is difficult to understand how a fully vaccinated person, testing negative to COVID-19, willing to self-quarantine on arrival, and able to drive to their destination on one tank of fuel, could pose such a risk to public health to justify refusing an exemption.”

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ government enforced the border closure rules. (TheAge)

“The effect of a complex and constrained bureaucracy meant some outcomes were downright unjust, even inhumane.”

The Victorian government published its response to the recommendation that those who experienced the “unjust outcomes” be offered payment in a report published on its website on or before May 27.

“While the Victorian government is not considering making ex gratia payments for those Victorians who were unable to travel home during this period, it does acknowledge the distress and disruption that the border restrictions generally created,” the government’s statement reads.

“It also acknowledges the frustration and challenges that people experienced when attempting to obtain an exemption in these difficult circumstances when the risks presented to the public health of Victorians by COVID-19 was constantly evolving.”

The subvariants and mutations of COVID-19

It is understood that the publication of the government’s response was not shared with media or on social media.

Categories
Australia

Hundreds of Victorian renewable energy projects in limbo after program funding ceases

solar panels under partly cloudy sky

A decision to cease funding for a successful statewide community renewable energy program is leaving hundreds of projects important to Victoria’s de-carbonisation targets in limbo.

The Victorian government has not re-funded the Community Power Hub program, which ran in six areas across the state for the past 12 months.

Program leaders say the abrupt end to the program will create an uncertain future for the community renewable energy projects it was designed to help progress.

Not-for-profit organization Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) led the Community Power Hub for the Grampians region, which supported 40 projects through the feasibility stage.

President Mary Debrett said many active community members would continue driving their projects to completion, but others would struggle to get off the ground without external support.

A group of people stand in front of a banner on green lawn with trees in background.
Grampians Community Power Hub worked on a renewable energy project with the Halls Gap Botanic Gardens.(Supplied: Mary Debrett)

She said she was disappointed the program was not re-funded.

“It will be those communities that have proactive people that will be the ones advantaged and those that don’t will be disadvantaged,” Ms Debrett said.

“For those organizations and communities where we have done feasibility studies, they are going to be needing some extra support.

“They are slow-burn projects that take a lot of work.”

Grampians Community Power Hub staff and volunteers worked with communities in Ballan and Pomonal to investigate community battery options and residents in St Arnaud on a renewable energy hub.

A group of people stand on mulch between sculptures of colorful people with trees in the background.
The Pomonal Power People group worked with the Grampians Community Power Hub on a community battery feasibility study.(Supplied: Keith Ward)

They facilitated energy audits at Grampians Health and J Ward in Ararat and the installation of solar panels at golf clubs, disability services, schools, community halls, and sporting clubs.

Slow, complex projects

Natimuk Community Energy president Edwin Irvine said their community solar farm project had been progressing for 14 years, but the Grampians Community Power Hub assisted them through crucial steps.

An aerial shot of Natimuk in the Wimmera region of Victoria.
Natimuk residents are working to create a solar farm owned by the community.(ABC Back Roads: Dai Cookes)

He said Grampians Community Power Hub staff and volunteers helped them through a complex design and approvals process as well as governance and finance decisions, which they could not have done on their own.

“Before doing this, I didn’t know anything at all about energy regulation or the physics of a solar farm and how it connects with the grid. I needed that help,” Mr Irvine said.

“I can imagine there are a lot of other community groups that are going to need that help.

“If that help is not there, those other community groups are going to find it really, really hard.”

energy revolution

Experts say community renewable energy projects will play an important role in Victoria’s renewable energy transition.

A portrait photo of a man with glasses.
Professor Pierluigi Mancarella is the energy systems program lead at the Melbourne Energy Institute.(Supplied: Pierluigi Mancarella)

Melbourne Energy Institute’s Professor Pierluigi Mancarella said sharing energy on a community level made sense because of cost and efficiency.

He said smaller renewable-based power plants with batteries and storage should replace “gigantic” fossil fuel-based plants and community-level batteries would be more efficient than household ones.

Professor Mancarella said supporting community renewable energy projects would be fundamental to Victoria’s decarbonisation process.

“There is so much learning… it is a competing revolution,” he said.

“It completely destroys the business models, commercial models and regulatory environment, which we have operated in so far.”

New funding scheme

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the successful Community Power Hub program had been funded for 12 months and progressed 200 proposed projects in that time.

“We hope these local success stories inspire more renewable energy projects in the community, taking advantage of our rebates and programs for households, community groups, and businesses,” she said.

A group of people watch wind turbines being installed
Hepburn Wind has been a community energy pioneer, establishing a community-owned wind-farm near Daylesford.(Supplied: Amy Kean)

The Victorian government has created a repayable grants program, where at least $50,000 is available for community group renewable energy projects, but loans must be repaid in five years.

The money is a low-interest-rate loan to help groups secure third-party funding.

The Victorian government has legislated a target of 50 per cent renewable energy for the state by 2030.

.

Categories
Australia

Taiwan says China military drills appear to simulate attack, Chinese embassy warns Australia against involvement

Chinese attacs

China’s embassy in Canberra has taken aim at Australia, the United States and Japan, accusing them of “finger pointing” and victim blaming after they condemned Beijing’s military exercises around Taiwan.

However the Australian government has fired back, saying the military drills were an overreaction following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.

Taiwan’s government claimed China’s military drills appear to simulate an attack on the self-ruled island, after multiple Chinese warships and aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait following Ms Pelosi’s controversial trip.

In response, Taiwan’s armed forces dispatched air and naval patrols around the island and activated land-based missile systems, the Ministry of National Defense said.

As of Saturday at 5pm, 20 Chinese aircraft and 14 ships continued to carry out sea and air exercises around the Taiwan Strait, he said.

The ministry said that zones declared by China as no-go areas during the exercises for other ships and aircraft had “seriously damaged the peace.”

Penny Wong with short silver hair looking concerned.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined Antony Blinken and Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa in condemning China’s exercises. (AP: Robert Kitchin, file)

It emphasized that Taiwan’s military did not seek war, but would prepare for it, and respond to it accordingly.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa issued a joint statement condemning China’s exercises, and demanding they “immediately cease.”

Beijing’s shipments in Australia fired back.

“It is absolutely unacceptable for the finger-pointing on China’s justified actions to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity,” a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said on Saturday.

“We firmly oppose and sternly condemn this.”

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

Play Video. Duration: 1 minute 32 seconds

China’s military drills ‘disproportionate’: Foreign Minister Penny Wong

The embassy went on to claim it was China that was the victim of “political provocation” from the US.

“The actions taken by the Chinese government to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity and curb the separatist activities are legitimate and justified,” the spokesperson said.

“Instead of expressing sympathy and support to the victim, the Australian side has condemned the victim along with the perpetrators.

“This is completely putting the cart before the horse and reversing the right from the wrong.”

China’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement that it had carried out military exercises as planned in the sea and airspaces to the north, south-west, and east of Taiwan, with a focus on “testing the capabilities” of its land strike and sea assault systems.

Australia likely to be called on for Taiwan support

The Australian Government said the military drills were an overreaction to Ms Pelosi’s visit.

Chinese military drills
The Chinese Embassy says that Australia has “condemned the victim”. (Reuters: Eastern Theater Command/Handout)

“We feel that the response by the Chinese Government was disproportionate and destabilizing,” government frontbencher Anika Wells told Sky News on Sunday morning.

“And that now remains a watching brief for Minister [Penny] Wong, obviously, to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to stabilize security in the region.”

Joe Biden has previously said the US was committed to military intervention, in the event China attacks Taiwan.

Shadow Defense Minister Andrew Hastie said it was a principled position to protect a neighbour, and suggested Australia would likely be called on for some form of support in the event of war breaking out.

“If there was a conflict around Taiwan, whether we’re involved directly or indirectly on the periphery, we would certainly be in the gun,” he told the ABC’s Insiders.

“That’s why we need to build our deterrence strength, that’s why we need to exercise exceptional political leadership, diplomatic leadership.”

China says Pelosi visit violated ‘one China’ policy

China launched live-fire military drills following Ms Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan earlier this week, saying it violated the “one China” policy.

Nancy Pelosi dressed in a white pantsuit and wearing a white mask walks among a crowd of people.
Ms Pelosi’s visit to Taipei was viewed as a provocation by China. (Reuters: Ann Wang)

China sees the island as a breakaway province to be annexed by force if necessary and considers visits to Taiwan by foreign officials as recognizing its sovereignty.

Taiwan’s army also said it detected four unmanned aerial vehicles flying in the vicinity of the offshore county of Kinmen on Friday night and fired warning flares in response.

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen reassured that the Taiwanese government posted “closely monitoring” the exercises and are “ready to respond as necessary”, in a tweet on Friday.

loading

The Chinese military exercises began Thursday and are expected to last until Sunday.

Taiwan has put its military on alert and staged civil defense drills, while the US has deployed numerous naval assets in the area.

The Biden administration and Ms Pelosi have said the US remains committed to a “one-China” policy, which recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.

The administration discouraged but did not prevent Ms Pelosi from visiting.

Categories
Australia

Australian music legend, The Seekers’ singer dies aged 79

Australian music legend, The Seekers' singer dies aged 79

Along with Guy were Keith Potger and another advertising man, Bruce Woodley, and soon Durham was a regular in their Monday night performances at a popular coffee lounge. Potger in those days was also an ABC radio producer, so in his lunch hour he made a demo tape of the group, which became the first album, Introducing The Seekers – although Potger was not supposed to have a second job, so he didn’t appear on the record’s cover. Durham also recorded two more songs with the Jazz Preachers, Muddy Water and Trombone Frankie (a version of Bessie Smith’s Trombie Cholly).

loading

Ready to see the world, in 1964 the group signed on to perform on the SS Fairsky to get to London. They planned to come home after 10 weeks in Europe but got so many bookings in England they decided to stay on.

In November 1964, the group released I’ll Never Find Another You, and by February it was No. 1 in the UK and Australia, and the Seekers were on their way to stardom. Over the next few years, the group released the hit records A World of Our Own, The Carnival is Over and Morningtown Ride.

The Seekers’ biggest international seller was George Girl (music by Dusty Springfield’s brother, Tom), which had originally been the title song for the movie starring Lynn Redgrave, James Mason, Charlotte Rampling and Alan Bates. The song was nominated for an Academy Award and the single made No.1 in America.

In 1967, 200,000 people (about 10 per cent of Melbourne’s population at the time) saw the Seekers perform at the Myer Music Bowl. It wasn’t until 2020 that a full recording of the set that day was released, and at the launch of the Hidden Treasures record Durham, then 76, looked back in wonder at what is still the biggest concert in the Southern Hemisphere.

Keith Potger, Judith Durham, Athol Guy and Bruce Woodley during a promotional stunt for The Seekers.

Keith Potger, Judith Durham, Athol Guy and Bruce Woodley during a promotional stunt for The Seekers.

“I had a dry mouth, you do get that sometimes with nerves, plus there was no air conditioning and it was a Melbourne summer, typical March weather,” Durham said. “I’ll Never Find Another You had become No. 1 all over the world and that was a big turning point for us, but we hadn’t had the huge welcome from the Australian people yet. That was what was so mind-blowing when we performed that show at the bowl.”

It was part of a series of big moments for the band in 1967 – The Seekers Down Under rated through the roof on television, and the members were named Australians of the Year (the only time in the award’s history that a group has had the title).

However, the following year, despite all her success with the Seekers, Durham decided that she wanted something else and announced that she was leaving the group. She also decided, in 1968, to become a vegetarian, and after that she lived a life that was non-smoking, environmentally friendly, decaffeinated, teetotal, drug free and cruelty free.

Judith Durham launched a successful solo career after leaving the Seekers in 1968.

Judith Durham launched a successful solo career after leaving the Seekers in 1968. Credit:Fairfax

The decision to leave the Seekers paid off, offers for her to sing as a solo artist flooded in, and she asked a London-based freelance musician, Ron Edgeworth, to be her musical director, pianist and arranger. Edgeworth had worked with many big names and was in constant demand, but he signed on with Durham.

Her first solo album was For Christmas with Love, and she continued to tour, working in New Zealand and Australia, and was in constant demand for tours and nightclubs in the UK. In 1969, she and Edgeworth were married in Melbourne.

Durham continued to work around the world, singing anything and everything from folk to jazz to blues to gospel to ragtime and classical. In the 1970s, she recorded trad jazz albums with Edgeworth and released a piano and voice recording from the Newport Jazz Festival in 1978.

In the 1980s, Durham and Edgeworth settled on the Sunshine Coast, and she concentrated on writing and performing her own work. She and Ian Austin also wrote a musical, Gotta Be Rainbows.

The bad times came in the 1990s. In 1990, Durham, Edgeworth and their tour manager were in a car accident that killed the driver of the other car and left Durham with a fractured wrist and leg. However, she was never daunted. In January 1993, with the Seekers’ silver jubilee approaching, the group announced a reunion concert. This turned into a successful tour, but then Edgeworth was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and died in late 1994.

A better part of 1994 was the release of Durham’s authorized biography, Colors of My Life: The Judith Durham Story, by Graham Simpson. This was popular enough to be updated and re-released in 1998 and 2003. In 1995, the Seekers were inducted into the Australian Record Industry Association’s (ARIA) Hall of Fame, and Durham was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to music.

After years without an album, in 1996 Durham released Mona Lisas. The following year this was released again as always there with Durham’s solo recording of Bruce Woodley’s i am australian (with Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply and Mandawuy Yunupingu of Yothu Yindi).

For some years around this time, Durham was stalked by an obsessed fan, who bombarded her with telephone calls and faxes and started spurious law cases against her. In 1998, the stalker was eventually convicted of stalking and ordered not to approach Durham.

In 2000, Durham’s album Let Me Find Love was re-released as hold on to your dreams, with the extra recording of her song Australia Land of Today. Durham toured Australian again in 2001 and, in 2003, she toured the UK to mark her 60th birthday. Ella’s A film of her birthday concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall was released in 2004 as a DVD.

In 2006, Durham sang part of her song Seldom Melbourne Leaves My Mind in Melbourne, and was invited by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund to record it as a fundraiser. In the end, Durham recorded her de ella entire The Australian Cities Suite, which was released in October 2008 in aid of charity. The suite includes Sydney Girl of My Dreams, Happy Years I Spent in Hobart and Australia Land of Today.

Durham went back on stage in 2012 with her 50th anniversary one-woman touring show, Colors of My Life, and her 1969 album Gift of Song was at last released on CD.

Judith Durham, lead singer of the Seekers, before winning a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Women In Music Awards in 2019.

Judith Durham, lead singer of the Seekers, before winning a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Women In Music Awards in 2019.Credit:Paul Jeffers

Over the years, Durham performed with the Seekers, usually for charity, and in 2013 they got together for a 50th anniversary tour. Celebrations to mark the anniversary included Australia Post presenting Durham with a 24-carat gold “stamp” as part of the “Legends of Australian Music” series, and the portrait of the group by Helen Edwards hanging in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

Keith Potger, Bruce Woodley, Judith Durham and Athol Guy reunited for the Seekers' 50th birthday celebrations.

Keith Potger, Bruce Woodley, Judith Durham and Athol Guy reunited for the Seekers’ 50th birthday celebrations.Credit:Justin McManus

Then, after their first tour concert, at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Durham complained about not feeling well and collapsed with a brain haemorrhage. The stroke affected her ability to read and write, and she spent months in rehabilitation, but she did not lose her singing voice, as she told The Age in 2019. “The doctor said, ‘Can you sing me a bit of a song?’ and of course I sang Morningtown Ride.”

A cultural guide to going out and loving your city. Sign up to our Culture Fix newsletter here.

Categories
Australia

WA roads: Fatal Safety Bay motorkbike crash extends horror weekend for State’s drivers

WA roads: Fatal Safety Bay motorkbike crash extends horror weekend for State's drivers

A horror weekend on WA roads has continued after a motorbike rider was killed in a tragic crash in Perth’s south.

The Harley Davidson rider was traveling along Safety Bay Road when he left the tarmac and struck a powerpole near the intersection of Malibu Road about 2am on Sunday.

The 44-year-old rider suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene.

Fatal motorbike accident on Safety Bay Rd at Malibu Rd early this morning, Sunday 7th August 2022.
Camera IconA horror weekend on WA roads has continued after a motorbike rider was killed in a tragic crash in Safety Bay. Credit: NIGHT NEWS/NIGHT NEWS

It brought to four the number of fatalities on WA roads this weekend.

On Friday night a woman behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta died after crashing her car into a tree in Kondinin, 280 kilometers east of Perth in the Wheatbelt.

The 23-year-old driver was traveling west along the Corrigin-Kondinin Road near Skyes Road about 11.45 when tragedy occurred.

She suffered critical injuries and died at the scene.

Meanwhile a 50-year-old man was killed when his car clipped a sign and smashed through a southern suburbs recreation store in Perth’s south on Friday night.

Authorities said a Holden Commodore and Toyota Hilux were traveling along South Street, approaching Stock Road, in O’Connor about 7.15pm when they collided, setting off the tragic set of events.

A witness described the horrifying moment the Commodore hurtled through the air, flipping multiple times as it narrowly missed a petrol station and smashed into a neighboring shop.

A 50-year-old man was killed when his car clipped a sign and smashed through a southern suburbs recreation store in Perth's south on Friday night.
Camera IconA 50-year-old man was killed when his car clipped a sign and smashed through a southern suburbs recreation store in Perth’s south on Friday night. Credit: nightnews
Authorities said a Holden Commodore and Toyota Hilux were traveling along South Street, approaching Stock Road, in O'Connor about 7.15pm when they collided, setting off the tragic set of events.
Camera IconAuthorities said a Holden Commodore and Toyota Hilux were traveling along South Street, approaching Stock Road, in O’Connor about 7.15pm when they collided, setting off the tragic set of events. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

“I just was standing there in shock, thinking like ‘what just happened’,” Dev Mankar said.

“I heard the crash… and looked out my window and saw the car flip,” Mr Mankar added.

“It was a very fast crash … with a lot of air time.”

The 47-year-old man driving the Toyota managed to escape with only minor injuries.

.

Categories
Australia

South Australians can soon buy their first home with low deposit on HomeStart loans

A man and a woman smiling in a kitchen

Owning a home could soon become a reality for more South Australians with a state-government backed lender lowering their minimum deposit requirements.

Eligible graduates will be able to apply for a home loan with HomeStart Finance with as little as 2 per cent deposit.

Successful applicants will not need to pay lender’s mortgage insurance — required by most lenders if home buyers do not have 20 per cent deposit — potentially shaving off thousands of dollars in upfront costs.

Dwelling prices in July have grown for Adelaide, Perth and Darwin while other Australian major cities dropped as interest rates surge.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the loan could wipe months off savings plans of people trying to buy their first home.

“Rather than South Australians having to spend years and years trying to save 20 per cent deposit to get a loan with one of the big four banks, instead that time is now reduced perhaps to only months,” he said.

A man in a business suit speaking with another man in the background
SA Treasurer Stephen Mullighan says the loan scheme will open doors for more South Australians into the housing market.

Mr Mullighan said the deposit reduction for the HomeStart scheme would allow low-to-medium income earners an opportunity to compete at auctions.

He said the government was expecting the Adelaide housing market to stabilize as interest rates rise.

“Even though some of the heat is going to be coming out of the market, for the first time we’re going to be seeing South Australians armed properly so they can compete in the market,” he said.

He estimates more than 250,000 South Australians with a Certificate III or higher qualification will be eligible for the scheme.

The previous minimum deposit required for that loan is 3 per cent.

For a $400,000 home, loan applicants will only need to fork out $8,000 in deposit and for a $850,000 price tag, buyers will pay $17,000 instead of $25,500 in deposit.

for sale sign adelaide 2
South Australians will be able to get their homes sooner with HomeStart dropping their minimum deposit requirement.(ABC News: Meagan Dillon)

Electrician Robert Thiel and hospitality worker Beth Mayfield, who are currently renting at Lockleys, say the change will help the couple get into the housing market sooner.

“Any amount you can save as a potential home owner is life-changing,” Ms Mayfield said.

“I never thought it would be possible for myself, to be honest, so it’s really exciting that it might be something really attainable for us.”

Ms Mayfield said her rent has increased in recent months, encouraging her to consider becoming a home owner.

The HomeStart graduate loan will be offered from Tuesday.

.

Categories
Australia

Labor selects former journalist Katelin McInerney to challenge Gareth Ward in Kiama at 2023 NSW election

A man and a woman stand on a coastal road

The New South Wales Labor party has announced its first candidate ahead of the 2023 election to take on the embattled high-profile Kiama MP Gareth Ward.

Former journalist, unionist and life-long Kiama resident Katelin McInerney is hoping to unseat Mr Ward, who was suspended from parliament after he was accused of historic indecent and sexual assault offences.

The former government minister, who denies the charges has refused to resign in the wake of his suspension and recently defended his right to stay on as MP.

His matter returns to court later this month.

On Saturday, Ms McInerney said she would not ignore Mr Ward’s absence from Macquarie Street during her eight-month campaign.

“As a resident here, I can’t ignore the fact that we do not have a voice on the floor of parliament,” she said.

“We have an MP who is not allowed to take our concerns and to represent our interests in the room where it happens.

“We deserve a real voice in parliament and a local member who is able to not just be a member of parliament but a member in the parliament of NSW,” Ms McInerney said.

A young couple with a child
Katelin McInerney says she and partner Brian want a better future for their two-year-old son William. (Supplied: Katelin McInerney)

‘A tough seat to win’

She said she was “deeply concerned” about her two-year-old son William’s future and it was a driving influence behind her decision to stand.

“Because of that I will work tirelessly to move the needle on the things that matter most to the people that work here.

“Fixing our hospitals, fixing our schools, reducing the congestion on our roads, ensuring that development in this beautiful region is not only sustainable but that it reflects our community,” Ms McInerney said.

Labor leader Chris Minns said Mr Ward’s strong hold over the seat was the reason the party had named his candidate eight months out from the election.

“That’s recognition of the fact that it will be a tough seat to win,” he said.

“Katelin knows that, we all know that. We will fight for every vote.”

Mr Ward won the seat from Labor’s Matt Brown in 2011, who controversially resigned from his role as Police Minister after allegedly hosting a wild post-budget election party in his parliamentary office.

Members expelled, resign

Just days before Ms McInerney’s selection was announced, the New South Wales Branch of the Labor Party announced it had expelled Mr Brown from the party.

A spokesperson said he was due to his decision to run against an endorsed party candidate at the Kiama local government elections in December.

Mr Brown declined to comment.

A man sits near a playground in his yellow campaign hat and t-shirt with posters.
Kiama Councilor Matt Brown. (ABC Illawarra: Ainslie Drewitt Smith)

His expulsion came a fortnight after party stalwart, former Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba had her 35-year membership revoked, on the same grounds.

In the days prior to her expulsion, she was accused of reversing over the foot of a rival candidate, and stepson of sitting Shellharbour MP Anna Watson.

Several local branch members who supported Ms Saliba’s tilt at the recent fresh election in Shellharbour Ward A, have since resigned from the party concerned over her treatment.

sticking to the rules

Mr Minns has played down the exits and infighting plaguing the local branches and said it was not akin to the “scandals” impacting the Perrottet government.

“We’ve got long established principles in relation to the suspension and disciplinary matters in relation to people who run against endorsed candidates.

“It’s been that way inside the Labor party for 130 years. Nothing has changed about our internal rules of management of candidate selection.”

Voters in NSW will go to the polls on March 25, 2023.

.

Categories
Australia

COVID-19 case numbers from around the states and territories

COVID-19 case numbers from around the states and territories

Here’s a quick wrap of each Australian jurisdiction’s latest COVID-19 statistics today — Sunday, August 7.

You can get a more detailed, visual breakdown through the ABC’s Charting the Spread story right here.

This will be updated throughout the day, so if you do not see your state or territory, check back later.

You can jump to the COVID-19 information you want to read by clicking below.

Victory

There have been another three COVID-19 deaths in the state.

There are 660 cases in hospital, with 40 of those in intensive care and 11 requiring ventilation.

There were 5,114 new cases today.

loading

NSW

The state has recorded 15 more COVID-19 deaths.

There are 2,181 cases in hospital, 57 of those in intensive care.

There were 10,027 new cases announced today.

loading

Northern Territory

Another 159 COVID cases have been recorded in the territory.

There are 40 people in hospital, three of those are in ICU.

There were no more deaths from the virus.

loading

queensland

There are 669 people in hospital and 29 in ICU.

There were 2,649 new cases recorded.

The state does not report death numbers over the weekend.

loading

Tasmanian

Four more people have died with COVID in the state.

There are 83 patients in hospital with the virus, one of those is in ICU.

There were 527 new cases reported.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

Play Video. Duration: 2 minutes 19 seconds

COVID-19 cases peak in Victoria.

Loading form…

Categories
Australia

Government ‘very, very confident’ climate bill will pass Senate

Climate Minister Chris Bowen smiling in front of Australian and Aboriginal flags.

The federal government is “very, very” confident its climate bill enshrining a 43 per cent emissions reduction target will pass the Senate.
The bill to lock in that target, based on 2005 levels by 2030, on the way to net zero emissions by 2050 passed the lower house on Thursday, 89 votes to 55 with the support of the Greens and crossbench independent MPs.
It is headed to the Senate where it will first go to a committee inquiry, which will hear evidence on the proposal’s impacts.
The committee is due to report back to parliament by the end of August before it goes to an upper house vote.

The government needs the support of the 12 Greens senators and one independent senator, likely David Pocock or Jacqui Lambie, to pass.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said he has been talking to the senators crucial to the eventual vote.
“But I’m very, very confident it will pass the Senate. Very, very confident,” he told the Nine Network on Sunday.
“Australians would expect a government of grown-ups to get on with the job and talk to people of goodwill to make sure that we have a good, solid climate bill.”
Opposition Nationals leader David Littleproud said while the Coalition believed in reducing emissions, it did not believe legislation was needed to do that.
“Once you legislate, you open up the pathway for activists to weaponize it in the courts,” he told Nine.
“We’re committed to reaching that net zero by 2050 but there is no linear line and we have got to be honest with people about how we get there, and who pays for it.”

The Coalition plans to update its reduction target beyond its commitment in government to a 26 to 28 per cent cut in emissions and is weighing up a policy to back nuclear power before the next election.

Categories
Australia

Queensland Country Women’s Association celebrates 100 years, sets sights on the future

A black and white image of a group of women

Drive through any regional town in Queensland and you’ll be sure to find a Country Women’s Association hall.

They have been a home away from home for thousands of women across the farming state to meet for a cuppa and a chat while living in some of the most remote areas of the country, often on isolated stations or farms.

Now, 100 years on, members of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) across Queensland are celebrating the colossal impact of rural Australia’s largest advocacy group.

A black and white image of women
Women from the QCWA unpack cakes entered a cookery competition in 1962. (Supplied: State Library of Queensland)

Working to attract young women

A blue cake in the shape of '100' number
The QCWA is celebrating 100 years since it was formed in 1922. (Supplied: QCWA)

Traditionally renowned for their culinary prowess, the scones and cakes made by Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) members have saved lives — raising millions of dollars for those struck by natural disasters and drought, women and children’s health, rural education, mental health, and disease.

Their long-established connections to communities and passion for coming together have seen armies of volunteers rally at the drop of a hat to effect change.

A black and white picture of a group of women
The QCWA state conferences remain a significant event for members of the organisation.(Supplied: Facebook)

As events launch across the state to mark the group’s centenary this August 11, QCWA state president Sheila Campbell says the organization has come a long way from “just scones.”

She says while cooking and craft remain a big part of the QCWA, the organization is working to attract younger women to the association.

“We’ve seen new branches start up in city areas that we didn’t have before, so it has evolved,” Ms Campbell said.

“The misconception is that we are just scones. We are not just scones, we advocate, we make things happen.”

A woman smiles for the camera
Sheila Campbell says the QCWA has come a long way. (ABC Features: Peter Gunders)

More recently, the work of the QCWA has involved making birthing kits for women in Papua New Guinea to create more hygienic labor environments.

The group also sends classroom supplies to schools in the South Pacific.

morella qcwa sign in front of old iron shed
QCWA’s Morella branch, north of Longreach, was formed in 1944 with 29 members.(Supplied: Gayle East)

Since 1990, the QCWA has provided payments for Queensland women and families suffering from natural disasters or other crises.

In some of the more remote QCWA branches, members are using the centenary to reflect on the impact they have made in their communities during difficult times and the difference they have made in the lives of each other.

A group of smiling women in a hall
The Cloncurry branch of the QCWA is one of the most remote branches in the state. (ABC North-West Queensland: Alexandra Treloar)

Cloncurry teacher and mother Tania Laffey didn’t know much about the QCWA when she joined.

Now it is an important part of her life.

“I really enjoy the atmosphere and the friendliness and casual side of it,” Ms Laffey said.

“As a mother, sometimes I needed to be somewhere other than at home.

“Especially in the wet season when you’ve been inside for days and you just want to get out to somewhere that is still clean, safe and dry… but it’s the friendships that keep me coming back.”

woman with boy sitting on lap play toy kitchen in background
Tania Laffey enjoys taking her 5-year-old son Gideon to local QCWA meetings. (ABC North-West Queensland: Alexandra Treloar)

Throughout the years, the Country Women’s Association has remained a constant, working to stay relevant to the modern times, as well as honoring the century-old traditions of the institution.

“I’m not sure the CWA has changed much over the time, its a different era… but we still do the same things we did 100 years ago,” QCWA state president Sheila Campbell said.

“Admittedly we are in cars these days not horses, but it still appeals to rural women.”

Loading form…

.