Michael Johnsen Quits Parliament Over Rape and Lewd Text Allegations

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

Former Upper Hunter MP, Michael Johnsen has resigned from Parliament. 

Mr Johnsen was under pressure from both sides of politics to quit, after he was suspended from the Nationals Party following allegations he raped a sex worker in the Blue Mountains in 2019, which he strongly denies 

Fresh allegations emerged on Tuesday he offered to pay $1 thousand to woman to have sex with him in parliament.

The government threatened to expel him if he didn't quit voluntarily. 

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says he welcomes Mr. Johnsen's resignation.

"My message to the people of the Upper Hunter is I will always put integrity before politics, which is why I called for Mr. Johnsen’s resignation."

"I want to say to the communities of the Upper Hunter that I am sorry, but please be assured the NSW Nationals’ focus has always been, and will always be, on delivering for the Upper Hunter and keeping our communities safe and secure."

The State Government is unlikely to lose it's majority vote in parliament, even if Mr. Johnsen's former Upper Hunter seat falls to another party. 

Labor or the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Party could take the seat in the upcoming by-election. 

Mr. Johnsen's resignation leaves the government in minority with only 46 of the 93 seats in the Legislative Assembly. 

But Independent Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper, says he'll continue to vote with the Berejiklian government.

"As far as I've concerned nothing has changed, obviously the Government has got some pretty serious problems that they're dealing with at the moment, but that doesn't directly reflect on the ability of the current government to maintain running the State."

"My support is primarily with for Gladys Berejiklian, not for the Government per se."

Hunter Region to Receive New Ambulances

BY ISABEL EVERERTT

69 new ambulance vehicles will be deployed across the state, with 50 to be based in rural and regional areas, as part of a $11.7 million funding boost from the NSW Government.

The fleet of intensive care ambulances will be rolled out in the Hunter New England, Central Coast, Western NSW, Southern NSW, and Northern NSW regions, as well as metropolitan areas. 

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the ambulances will carry the most advanced equipment, including upgraded defibrillators, to bolster the frontline emergency response.

They'll also have video laryngoscopes and mechanical CPR devices. 

“The NSW Government is supporting those who live hundreds of kilometres from the nearest trauma centre," Mr Barilaro says. 

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan said the equipment will make a big difference for patients suffering trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke or breathing difficulties.

“The equipment also provides our paramedics with greater protection when treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients,” Dr Morgan said.

The Health Services Unions says the investment should be followed by boosting intensive care paramedic numbers.

"To fully take advantage of the new vehicles, a greater number of paramedics are needed along with better access to training," the Union said in a statement.

“These ambulances are an excellent first step but there are paramedics screaming for the opportunity to be upskilled to intensive care status in regional NSW right now. Sadly they are being held back from serving their communities to the best of their ability,” said Gerard Hayes, HSU NSW Secretary.

“We need at least one 12 person intensive care paramedic crew for every 50,000 people immediately. We are currently well below that ratio." 

“The best thing the NSW Goverment could do right now is fund NSW Ambulance to allow regional paramedics to undertake the intensive care course in the regions. That will allow paramedics to make the most of these new vehicles  and best serve their communities.

“This is a great first step. The proof will be in the follow through.”

In 2020-21 the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in NSW Ambulance, including $27 million for 180 new staff, the third tranche of the 2018 commitment to recruit 750 more paramedic and control centre staff over four years.

Deputy Premier Unveils Stage One of Williamtown's Astra Aerolab

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Deputy Premier John Barilaro unveiled stage 1 of Newcastle Airport's Astra Aerolab on Tuesday. 

John Barilaro was joined by Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock to announce construction is now complete, including an access road, power, water, gas, sewer and data connections.

“I turned the first sod on this project 18 months ago, and this site has already been transformed to pave the way for a world-leading defence and aerospace technology park,” Mr Barilaro said.

Newcastle Airport and the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct (SAP) are set to be the epicentre of the region’s push into international defence and aerospace industries after the major unveiling today at Williamtown.

Two organisations who have signed key agreements with Astra Aerolab are major defence contractor BAE Systems Australia and Leading Edge Data Centres.

The NSW Government has invested $11.7 million in the $18 point.7 million project. 

The total project is expected to create 4,300 jobs. 

“Astra Aerolab is a place where world leading defence, research, aerospace and industry partners will converge to push boundaries, embrace new technologies and develop the jobs for the future," Dr Cock said. 

“We are determined that it will connect a global workforce with the RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Airport."

“Stage one has employed 70 fulltime staff through the depths of the pandemic when economic activity was so vital to regions."

"We have developed the site sustainably from the outset, including establishing over 200,000 plants and retention of a historically significant Aboriginal keeping place.”

BAE Systems Australia Managing Direct Defence Delivery, Andrew Gresham said the company saw huge potential in Astra Aerolab.

“BAE Systems has secured significant contracts to support Australia’s F-35 fleet, which offer never-before-seen opportunities for Australian industry.

“Astra Aerolab will facilitate the continued investment in our Williamtown site ahead of work supporting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in Australia.

Leasing opportunities are available now at Astra Aerolab. 

Later in the afternoon Mr Barilaro will chair the first face to face Stockton Beach Taskforce meeting at Newcastle Council Chambers to discuss latest developments in beach replenishment.

Deputy Premier Visits Singleton to Announce Hunter Coal Towns Will Share in $50 Million in Mining Royalties

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter coal towns will share in $50 million worth of funding generated by mining royalties, under an overhaul of the 'Resources for Regions' program. 

The Deputy Premier, John Barilaro visited Singleton on Wednesday, announcing each eligible council will receive a base amount of $1 million, and a further $26 million be distributed to the LGA'S most impacted by the mining industry. 

Eligible Hunter councils include Broken Hill, Newcastle, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Singleton and the Upper Hunter. 

Singleton topped the list and will receive $4.51 million dollars this year. 

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore says the LGA was the top contributor of mining royalties to the NSW Treasury, with an average $340 million in mining royalties sent to Macquarie Street every year.

“Reforms to the Resources for Regions funding program have been at the top of our advocacy agenda for some time, and I have been working to take advantage of any opportunity to meet with the Deputy Premier to raise this issue,” she said.

General Manager Jason Linnane said he was especially happy to see that funding could be used for community programs and projects, and not just infrastructure.

“It  means that we can work with our community to implement a range of projects which will promote even greater relationships between the State Government, Council and community organisations to help us respond to the economic and social impacts of mining.

“Council staff are already working through potential projects, with a view to having our applications and works ready to go as soon as possible.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says coal mining will remain a key industry for some decades to come, generating jobs for regional communities and royalties that can be used to pay for essential public services and infrastructure.

“The NSW coal industry directly employs around 28,600 people and almost 114,000 people indirectly, and underpins around 80 per cent of the state’s energy supply,” Mr Barilaro said.

“In the wake of the worst drought on record, devastating bushfires and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the job security, economic growth and prosperity provided by the coal industry to our State, especially regional communities, has never been  more important .

“At the same time, we are working to reduce emissions in the mining sector, support responsible coal production, address community concerns and deliver $50 million worth of new infrastructure projects and community programs to mining affected towns under the Resources for Regions program.

Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen said it was about striking the right balance to give the coal industry and regional communities the time they need to adapt and diversify their economies as the world transitions to a lower carbon future.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro

Williamtown Special Activation Precinct to Create Jobs, Millions of Dollars, And Possible Life Life for Red Zone Residents

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A brand new national and international defence and aerospace hub will be established in Williamtown as part of the State Government's $1 billion investment plan for regional NSW.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro visited the area this morning, announcing Williamtown as the next Special Activation Precinct in NSW, following areas such as Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree, and the Snowy Mountains,

Together, the five precincts are expected to create more than 15,000 jobs in regional industries such as freight and logistics, agriculture, defense, tourism, and renewable energy.

Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Chris Doohan says the project will guide the region for the next few decades, and with an emphasis on advanced manufacturing and aerospace, it could provide a fantastic opportunity for future generations to get involved in STEM careers.

"There's probably jobs out there that haven't even been invented yet that will probably happen in this area," said Cr Doohan. "It's a very bright looking future for Port Stephens and for the Willamtown area."

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the project will involve extensive consultation with businesses, councils, and the local community.

The NSW Government will also explore a 10,000 hectare space around Newcastle Airport and the Port Stephens local government area - and for families and property owners with land in the PFAS contamination zone, Cr Doohan suggests this project could provide a way out.

"Today's announcement could certainly support them in buying out those properties," said Cr Doohan.

"If this grows to a bigger and better thing, who knows how many more people could be supported with buybacks to their properties in that areas."

"I certainly gave Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, a reminder that was a major issue in this area, and if this was the start of a means of an end to a solution for these people".

"He was very interested to take this conversation further going forward."

Image credit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/williamtownsap