Push to restore Australia Day citizenship ceremonies

BY PETER HYSLOP

Two Liberal councillors are campaigning for citizenship ceremonies to be held on Australia Day.

Newcastle Council made the decision to move the ceremony to January 25 in 2022, arguing the change reflected community sentiment.

Councillors Jenny Barrie and Callum Pull say they support the re-introduction of Federal laws, which mandated holding the ceremonies on the national holiday.

Councillor Pull argues that debates around this issue should not interfere with the rights of new citizens.

"I've spoken to a number of people who have come to this country and they tell me how important this day is."

"The January 26 debate will continue no matter when Newcastle Council holds its citizenship ceremonies."

Newcastle Councillor Jenny Barrie Picture Novo News

 

Newcastle named safest Labor stronghold in the country

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A post-election pendulum's revealed, Newcastle is the Federal Government's safest seat in the country.

According to ABC election analyst Antony Green, Labor's Sharon Claydon holds the seat with an 18 percent margin on the two-party preferred count.

Meanwhile, Paterson with 3.3 percent, Hunter with 4 percent, and Shortland with 5.8 percent were among the party's most marginal electorates.

Labor to Fund Crisis Accommodation in Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon says if elected, a Labor Government will provide $1.2 million in funding for domestic violence victims in Newcastle. 

The announcement comes in response to calls from the sector over many years for the Federal Government to invest in crisis accommodation and frontline workers. 

It is expected the investment into crisis accommodation will help to house as many as 108 women and children in the region. 

In addition to the large sum, Labor has also said it will fund the employment of an additional ten frontline workers to support people who are facing domestic violence. It is expected these workers will help support over 800 victims. 

Sharon Claydon said the affects of the pandemic has meant both victims and the family and domestic violence sector in Newcastle are at breaking point. 

"It is unforgivable that we would allow women and children to be rendered homeless, whether they are couch-surfing, sleeping in the back of their cars, out on the streets, or indeed returning to the perpetrator of violence because they cannot find safe accommodation in which to seek refuge," Ms Claydon said. 

She also claims the Liberal Government has been providing the sector with insufficient funding for nearly a decade. 

"Survivors are strong, resilient and remarkable people but they do deserve help to rebuild their lives and sadly, after almost a decade of Liberal Governments at a national level, there has been just zero leadership on this issue," she said. 

"I deeply regret that they have waited ten years to receive nothing to date."

Ms Claydon said there have been ample opportunities for the Federal Government to bring about lasting reforms for women in the home and workplace. 

Labor says it will tackle the scourge of domestic violence with the appropriate urgency. 

"If a Labor Government is elected on May 21st, there will be relief coming," Ms Claydon said. 

Labor will provide $1.2 million for crisis accommodation in Newcastle

Maitland Magpies score $2 million in Federal funds for field upgrade

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has committed $2 million for the Maitland FC Magpies, to upgrade their facilities at Cooks Square Park.

The Stage One works will see a half-size training pitch expanded to full-size, in hopes to double the number of competition games being played. 

It's understood, the club is searching for further money, for a new two-storey buildings with canteens, storerooms, and female changerooms. 

Maitland FC President Ray Watkins says it's reassuring to see spending right across the region.

"One of our key targets to be able to get the message out to all of the youth of Maitland," Mr Watkins said.

"They don't need to travel into Newcastle to get the best facilities available. They can come right here to Cooks Square Park and achieve all of the resources and the development needs."

Labor's also announced, if it wins the Federal Election in May, it will match the Commonwealth's commitment on the project.

Club President Ray Watkins, Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell, Senator Jim Molan, and Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold.

Liberal candidate calling for youth crime crackdown in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A local Liberal candidate is calling for a crackdown on youth crime and more investment in early intervention in the Hunter.

Paterson Candidate Brooke Vitnell launched the new campaign on Tuesday morning.

It comes just days after two teenagers were arrested and charged with allegedly burning down two buildings at Irrawang Public School on the weekend.

Ms Vitnell says something needs to be done.

"I'll be fighting for crime-alleviating capital infrastructure for our region, through Safer Communities funding," Ms Vitnell said.

"And also funding for early intervention projects to work in conjunction with local organisations across the Hunter community."

Attorney-General Michaelia Cash has echoed the calls.

She says it's important to nip these issues in the bud.

"Brooke and I have spent some time this morning wandering around and talking to small businesses, and in particular what they would like to see, by way of the better infrastructure, so that their businesses are kept safe," Ms Cash said.

"Whether it's CCTV, whether it's bollards being put up, whether it's lighting.

"It's all about Brooke, working on the ground with the communities, to then put in that application to the fund."

Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning.

Labor Commits to Eight Year Duplication Plan: Nelson Bay Rd

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The fight for the marginal seat of Port Stephens has ramped up again, with state Labor committing $600 million for a major roads project.

The opposition is promising to fully duplicate Nelson Bay Road in 8 years; depending on the party winning office at the next two elections.

The project would see duplication delivered in three stages: Medowie Road to Stockton, Williamtown to Bobs Farm and Anna Bay to Nelson Bay.

It comes after the Berejiklian Government in January announced $205 million to duplicate the stretch from Williamtown to Bobs Farm, promising work would start in 2019 and be completed within three years.

It followed a previous announcement in 2015, where then Premier Mike Baird said work would begin in his term of government for a $70 million duplication of Stockton Bridge to Anna Bay.

That project is yet to begin, and Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said voters cannot trust the Liberal-Nationals to deliver in the next term of government.

"The government has made all sorts of empty promises to our community," she said, "they stood here in 2015 and said full duplication of Nelson Bay Road and we've not seen a thing.

"The only thing that we're getting is a roundabout upgrade which won't even be completed by the election," Ms Washington said.

Works to upgrade the roundabout intersecting Nelson Bay and Medowie Roads are currently being carried out as part of the government's road safety plan for the area.

NSW Shadow Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Jodi McKay admitted the price tag of Labor's three-part plan is currently based on estimates.

"It is an extrapolation based on what we believe it will cost...our commitment today is $600 million on the table and the full duplication now," Ms McKay said, "if that means that there is more money required, we will put more money on the table..."

Work has been carried out on Nelson Bay Road since 2002, however motorists are still bottlenecked into single lanes, creating heavy traffic during peak holiday periods.

Funding Boost For Lake Macquarie College

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Heritage College Lake Macquarie in Morisset is set to benefit from a record investment into education by the NSW Liberal National Government.

The school will receive $800,000 in funding as part of a planned $6 billion investment into education by the state government over the next four years.

The school has earmarked the funding for a much-needed facilities upgrade that will see the construction of a secondary student classroom block with four general learning areas, storage, verandahs and staff administration areas.

The project is set to cost approximately $2 million with the school contributing the remaining $1.2 million.

Liberal candidate for Lake Macquarie Lindsay Paterson was present for the announcement and spoke positively of the investment.

"Heritage College Lake Macquarie has been providing outstanding education since 1997 and I'm pleased the NSW Government is able to assist them with an expansion to cater for more secondary students".

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC joined Mr Paterson alongside Hunter College's Principal Simon Dodson and Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper for the funding announcement - stating that he was pleased to be supporting the upgrade.

"I am delighted the NSW Liberal-National Government is supporting this much-needed project, which will benefit the entire Morisset community," said Mr MacDonald.

"Investment in the education of our young people is one of the best investments any government can make.

I'm pleased with this allocation to Heritage College which comes at a time when significant investments are being made in major redevelopments of Wangi Wangi and Speers Point public schools," Mr Piper added.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the investment will be delivered through the NSW Government's Building Grants Assistance Scheme (BGAS), an initiative that provides funding for independent and Catholic schools to cater for growing students numbers by upgrading their facilities.

"All students deserve the very best facilities to learn and grow in, no matter what school they go to," Mr Stokes said.

The planned $6 billion investment by the State Government over the next four years is set to be the largest investment into public school infrastructure by any State Government in Australian history.

Premier's $205 Million Dollar Commitment to Nelson Bay Road

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

The NSW Liberal-National Government has pledged to commit a further $205 million for the Nelson Bay Road duplication project if they are re-elected in the upcoming election.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the upgrade is essential for a road that gets over 25,000 motorists each day.

According to the Premier, Roads and Maritime Services have said the project could be started by the end of this year and will take two years to complete.

The $205 million dollar commitment comes in addition to the $70 million dollars allocated to the project in 2015 by then-Premier Mike Baird

"As the Hunter and NSW continue to grow, so does the number of motorists using our roads,"

"Nelson Bay Road is a crucial connection for residents but can become very busy during holiday periods," said Premier Berejiklian.

"That's why we're delivering major road upgrades and improvements to make it easier, faster and safer for people to get around,

"We are planning these improvements to support tourism and local industries as a major economic driver in the Port Stephens area."
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Image: Ian Crouch/2NURFM News

Berejiklian Government's "reckless" Refusal to Ban Plastic Bags Challenged by Port Stephens MP

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Local Labor members are calling on the State Government to protect marine life by matching their pledge to ban single-use plastic bags in NSW.

Labor has been calling on the Liberal party to 'ban the bag' since 2015, but the party is yet to support any laws being introduced.

Data shows approximately 10 million bags will still be littered in NSW each year under the current system with the Labor party calling for an outright ban.

With many thousands of smaller outlets still allowed to distribute, light-weight, single-use plastic bags, the Labor party believes the current voluntary ban instated by major supermarket chains fails to fix the issue

"We've already seen some of the larger providers having to go back to the use of plastic bags," said Port Stephens MP Kate Washington.

"Unless the Government implements legislation that makes single-use plastic bags illegal in NSW, then we will not see the market addressing the problems that the environment so desperately needs."

NSW remains the only state yet to introduce a bag ban, with many residents of areas like Port Stephens concerned about the effect this has on marine life.

"The risks posed by single-use plastic bags to our environment are enormous and they are well known, the risks to our marine life particularly," said Ms Washington.

"People of Port Stephens really want to see the use of single-use plastic bags banned because we do know the impact this has on marine life, we see it off our shores every day so it is an important issue."

Labor party members believe the marketplace cannot successfully address this issue on its own and the Government must act.

"The Berejiklian Government continues to fail to understand what the priorities should be for our state and that is not stadiums in Sydney," said Kate Washington.

 "Time and again we see their recklessness when it comes to our environment, and quite frankly everyone is fed up with it."

Image: The Advocate

Opal data suggests declining patronage, says Labor

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Claims made by the NSW Transport Minister about the number of people jumping aboard Newcastle buses is being disputed by Labor.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp claims on March 6, Andrew Constance told state parliament, "I took the January 2017 patronage numbers compared them to January 2018. In January 2017, the patronage numbers were 304, 330. In January of this year, there were 319, 360."

That would have represented a significant increase of 15, 330 patrons, however, Opal card data, published on the NSW government's website, shows only 300, 448 using Newcastle bus services in January 2018.

Tim Crakanthorp has labelled Andrew Constance's claims "disingenuous," and said the 4000 person decrease for January and decline of 8000 patrons in February makes sense, given public outcry over the revised system.

"This makes a lot of sense...we've got huge support from the community on this particular campaign to call for a full review and proper consultation on this service.

"We had 1000 people turn up at a community meeting in Belmont and about the same come to a rally [in Gregson Park] just last week."

However, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald has defended the Minister's comments, saying Mr Constance was referring to overall patronage sourced from both Opal and non-Opal data.

"The figures we rely on is overall patronage...the numbers, when combined, give us about a 9% increase.

"So we're getting that up-swing we've been expecting," he said.

"We can't just rely on the Opal data," Mr MacDonald continued, "because there are various concession users and people paying with cash.

"When we look at both the Opal and non-Opal figures, it is still quite encouraging."

Scot MacDonald emphasized the declining nature of the previous system as reason for the changed timetable.

Parliamentary Secretary defends seating plan for new train fleet

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The Hunter's Parliamentary Secretary says criticisms levelled at the seating arrangements on forthcoming new inter-city trains are unwarranted and a year late.

NSW Labor today questioned why half the seats on the new fleet won't be reversible, leaving some passengers riding backwards and sparking concerns about motion sickness.

Despite being popular with commuters, transport officials decided against ordering them in the new trains after it was found they are more complex, heavier and need more maintenance than fixed seats - and they also posed a greater fire risk.

Scot MacDonald said it is unbelievable Labor have apparently only just now looked at the designs, which were released over a year ago.

"These designs for the seating plan have been out for over a year," he said, "it's taken 12 months for the Labor Party to get around to what's been put out on the Transport NSW website and by the media, and then come up with an opinion."

He said current NSW trains are in dire need of a refresh, which is what commuters will be getting.

"These are far better carriages - they've got wider seats, they've got armrests, they've got charging stations...they look fresh and modern with clean lines," Mr MacDonald said.

The Parliamentary Secretary said he's spoken to the community and received positive feedback for the plans.

"When I handed pamphlets with design information out to people using the [inner city trains] as they are now...people were saying 'bring it on.'

Latest information from the state government indicates the new fleet will begin trials in May 2019 and will be progressively rolled-out after that.

Artist's impression of the new train interiors.