Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns announce TAFE Centre of Excellence in Newcastle

By HOLLY FISHLOCK

More than $60 million will be invested by the state and federal government's over the next five years for the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence.

The Centre will be established at the TAFE NSW campus at Tighes Hill, and will look to boost the workforce needed to support the renewable energy industry in the Hunter and across the state.

Once up and running the centre will have a training capacity of approximately 450 students annually.

It will provide education and apprenticeships in renewable energy, offshore wind, hydrogen, and related manufacturing fields for the region's workforce.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there needs to be a plan for the future.

"It's important we invest in new industries, and that we invest in the capacity of workers to be able to fill jobs in those industries."

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns says it's important young people have the skills needed to participate in the renewable energy industry.

"We all see an exciting opportunity for the next generation, right here in Newcastle."

The launch of the facility comes after an advanced manufacturing centre of excellence was announced for Western Sydney.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing the Centre of Excellence

Chris Minns Announces $15 Million Investment Into The Thornton Rail Bridge Duplication Project

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government says it's coming through on it's commitment to ease traffic congestion in Maitland, by investing $15 million into the next stage of the Thornton Rail Bridge Duplication Project. 

It comes with an estimated 7,000 new residents expected to call Maitland home within the next 20 years. 

The funding will be used to kick-off initial planning works to duplicate the bridge, with the hopes of expanding access out to Thornton Road, offering residents a flood-free route during natural disasters. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns was in Thornton for the announcement on Friday, and said community members have been calling out for a quicker, more secure route in and out of Maitland. 

"These are flood-prone areas that need evacuation routes in the event of a natural disaster, and so it's not just a question of ease of mobility and infrastructure upgrades, this is essential in ensuring that you've got a resilient community that can deal with the effect and the threat of flooding in Maitland." 

Community consultation on the project is expected to begin soon, following the funding announcement. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns

NSW Premier Announces $100,000 in Funding Support for Families of the Greta Bus Crash Victims

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government is donating $100,000 to help people affected by the Greta bus crash. 

The injection will provide benevolent relief and support to survivors, victims, and their immediate families. 

A fundraiser set up by the Singleton Roosters AFL Club in support of affected locals has so far raised more than $120,000. 

Visiting the Hunter today, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the funds from the government will be put into a Rotary Australia-led fund which will support those in the community who have been directly impacted by the tragedy. 

"We will leave it up to Rotary and their governance process to distribute the funds, but we anticipate they will be used for funeral expenses for those who have passed," Mr. Minns said.  

Rotary expects the fund will raise more than $1 million in total. 

The Premier also took the time to thank emergency service staff and the Australian public for their outpouring of support for the Hunter community, and gave an update on those victims still in hospital. 

At this stage nine patients are in a stable condition at the John Hunter Hospital, two are in a stable condition at Singleton Hospital, and two are in a stable condition at the Royal Prince Albert in Sydney. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Female and Hunter MPs Aplenty in New State Cabinet

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Five of the Hunter's seven Labor MP's have been given positions in Chris Minns' new state government. 

Swansea MP, Yasmin Catley is one of the big winners in the new ministry, being elevated to the Police and Counter-terrorism portfolio.

Charlestown MP, Jodi Harrison becomes the new Minister for Women, Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and Seniors.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington moves into the Families and Communities and Disability Inclusion portfolios.

Maitland's Jenny Aitchison is now the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads.

The Hunter locals are among a host of others elevated to new positions in an historic 50% female-led ministry. 

Meanwhile, Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp becomes Minister for the Hunter and retains his shadow role in Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education.

The Premier has also thrown his support behind Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper as the new speaker for the Lower House.  

He says, he looks forward to seeing an Independent in the seat. 

"It's very difficult for a speaker who is drawn from the ruling party to give that sense of independence that we expect of someone in that position, but when the person who in in the speaker's role comes as an Independent, it will truly be an independent role," Mr Piper said. 

Mr Piper noted whilst he's proud to be endorsed for the role, he won't let it distract him from getting things done in his electorate. 

Image: Premier's Office

Labor's Takeover in Full Swing

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

The weekend saw Labor comfortably retain all seven of its existing Hunter seats, in line with a state-wide swing in the party's direction. 

It comes after the Liberals failed to name a host of candidates until the last minute, adding to what's being described as a lacklustre campaign performance across the Hunter and the state.

One of the Labor's biggest results could be seen in Port Stephens, where Kate Washington enjoyed a two-party preferred swing of 16.5%. 

There's now pressure on the incoming MPs and state government to get moving on a number of promised and pressing commitments. 

Namely, the proposed privatisaiton of Hunter Water has been a regionally-contentious issue for some time. 

In the lead-up to the election, Chris Minns and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, said the first thing they would do is ensure Hunter Water stays in the public hands. 

"We'll get moving very quickly on stopping privatisation of Hunter Water in particular; we hope to legislate that way in fact," Mr Crakanthorp said. 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, who easily retained her long-held seat, agrees it's the first thing on the agenda, but said the corporation needs to do better in working alongside the new state government. 

"They've kept the people at arms length deliberately and played politics over the last 12 years, and they need to start getting in-touch with the wants and needs of people in Wallsend," she said. 

Ms Hornery says the key issue in many Hunter electorates moving forward, will be the region's housing affordability crisis. 

Vote-counting for the election continues today. 

Tim Crakanthorp pledges to never privatise Hunter Water in a social media post.

NSW Labor Promises $21 Million for Stockton Renourishment

BY OLIVIA DILLON

NSW Labor has promised to put $21 million towards mass sand nourishment of Stockton Beach if they win the election next month. 

Shadow Local Government Minister Greg Warren visited the town today, to make the pledge for a long-term solution to the decades-long issue. 

The coastal town has lost more than 10 million cubic metres of sand off it's beach, and it's estimated up to 2.5 million cubic metres is needed to re-nourish and maintain it.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said it's about time action was taken. 

"Chris Minns and I promised the people of Stockton we'd present our commitment prior to the election day, and today we deliver on that promise," Mr Crakanthorp said. 

"For too long, this project has been caught up in bureaucracy, but a NSW Labor Government will see the talk stop, and the work begin." 

Labor's commitment would see a memorandum of understanding between them, City of Newcastle, and NSW Public Works, to ensure the government agency holds the dredging license. 

The party plans to seek help from the Port of Newcastle for a long-term solution, and will work closely with the Stockton Beach Taskforce throughout the process.

 

Tim Crakanthorp, said the community has waited long enough already. 

"Getting sand back on Stockton Beach has been a long-time focus of mine. We brought a 10,000-signature petition to Parliament, we've had representations, Notices of Motions, and finally we're here today," he said. 

"I'm really excited that we can say a Labor government will fix this."

"The Stockton community has waited long enough under this Liberal government. Only NSW Labor will get this done."