Additional University Places Added in Newcastle to Grow AUKUS Workforce

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Additional places in STEM courses will be open at the University of Newcastle next year, in a bid to help grow the skilled workforce required to deliver AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.

The Albanese Government is investing $128 million to fund an additional 4,001 university places across Australia. In Newcastle, 140 places have been allocated.

These additional places will apply to 38 STEM-related courses, designed to attract more students to train in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Federal Member for Patterson Meryl Swanson said she's celebrating the move.

"I'm delighted to say that the Albanese Labor Government has funded 140 additional places at the University of Newcastle over the next four years for STEM related subjects such as mechanical engineering and chemical engineering," says MP Swanson.

Ms. Swanson says it is important to increase training in STEM-related fields, as careers in these industries in Newcastle are in high demand.

"It's incredibly important that we do grow the workforce that is needed for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. In addition to that, it's also important that we constantly work with our businesses in the local area.

"The reason it's so important that we increase people taking up STEM courses is because that's where the jobs of the future in our region are going to lie. As a government we've recognised that, and that's why we've supported and funded these 140 places at Newcastle University over the next four years,," she said. 

Eligible students are able to apply and commence studies for STEM courses from the beginning of 2024.

Young Voices Heard at Newcastle Youth Forum

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Young people from the Hunter had their say on a number of big-ticket issues at last night's Newcastle Youth Forum. 

Federal Minster for Youth Dr Anne Aly was joined by Federal Members for Newcastle and Paterson Sharon Claydon and Meryl Swanson respectively, for the event at Nobbys Surf Lifesaving Club. 

Talking points included youth mental health, reforms to the education system and participation in local live music. 

Dr Anne Aly, says the government needs to work with young people, as well as for them. 

"When we talk about youth, one of the things I think we've made a mistake on in the past, is looking at them as a singular group or a monolith, but we know the issues are different for youth in different regions, postcodes or cohorts," Dr Aly said. 

"It's really important to hear from young people in all their diversities." 

Youth Committee for The Hunter Members Dylan Shoesmith and Joel Mackaway were in attendance at the forum.   

Mr Shoesmith said it was a good opportunity to engage directly with policy-makers.

"Here in the Hunter we've got a lot of very passionate young people who are very keen on ensuring our region continues in prosperity," he said. 

"It's great to have some very high-profile politicians come along and be willing to really engage and listen to what young people have to say." 

"Hopefully we'll see some concrete action come out of it."  

Similarly, Mr Mackaway was pleased to have an opportunity to be given a seat at the table. 

"I think it makes it easier for young people to get involved in politics because it's usually a thing people find boring or just for older people," he said. 

"To have opportunities to speak your mind and talk to people that can actually make change is really beneficial for participation for young people." 

MP Seeking Feedback on Hunter Gas Pipeline Plans

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Local residents are invited to attend a meeting next month concerning the future of the Hunter Gas Pipeline. 

It comes after it was recently announced energy pioneer Santos had acquired the company, which owns an underground gas pipeline route between Wallumbilla in Queensland and Newcastle. 

Santos plans to use the company's pipeline route as part of their Narrabri Gas Project, which aims to deliver gas to east coast domestic markets in the shortest timeframe possible.

The proposed 833km pipeline would pass through communities in Scone, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Maitland and Newcastle. 

The community meeting has been organised by Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson, and will give residents, farmers and landholders the opportunity to address Santos directly. 

"Some of the concerns include the depth of the pipeline, easements and how that will work, what people can plant above and around the pipeline, and the course of the pipeline; where it's actually going to be. Things like that are genuine concerns and I feel people have the right to be heard," Ms Swanson said. 

"Santos needs to have these consultations in good faith, which they've assured me they will," she added. 

The meeting will be held in Ms Swanson's office on the 19th of September. 

She said the community should take the opportunity to voice their concerns. 

"This consultation with Santos is a genuine process and I encourage people who are in my electorate and directly impacted, to reach out to my Raymond Terrance office and come along to the meeting in September."

The proposed Hunter Gas Pipeline route

Labor Roundtable on Regional Services

BY ALICE PEART

Labor representatives met at a Paterson community center today for a roundtable discussion with community members and professionals to identify problems in regional services across the Hunter.

The discussion covered housing, education and health services but predominately focussed on problems with the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Shadow Minister for Regional Services Jason Clare said it was about sitting down with the community to hear about what's working with the NDIS, and what's not.

The roundtable reportedly heard from one woman who had her funding cut by 90 percent and other community members who feel they still cannot access adequate support despite the scheme.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said people are frustrated and are becoming fearful for the future,

"Particularly out in the regions because we don't always have the level of service you might have in the metropolitan area".

The Shadow Minister said while Labor is in opposition his role is to shine a light on the problems and spend the next three years forming policy.

Participants Voice NDIS Concerns

BY GRACE LANCASTER

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is still causing debate in the Hunter, with a number of parliamentary representatives voicing concerns yesterday.

The briefing session hosted by the Assistant Minister for Disability Services at Parliment House, came in the wake of the latest quarterly report indicating a significant jump in complaints about the scheme.

Paterson MP, Meryl Swanson, was an attendee yesterday, voicing concern for the scheme's staffing cap.

"We need more people providing planning. We need more people as providers themselves of services and we need better training of everyone involved in the NDIS, and we just need more streamlining."

Despite the prevalence of complaints, Ms Swanson is confident of the scheme's importance.

"The NDIS has helped a lot of people and it is a positive thing and that's why we need to get it right", she said.

"We can't allow it to falter the way it is at the moment."

Paterson MP, Meryl Swanson

Optus Tower To Be Built In Fullerton Cove

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

It has been confirmed that an Optus mobile phone tower will be built in Fullerton Cove after months of lobbying from residents.

The announcement comes after complaints of patchy service in the area and follows confirmation of a Telstra tower for Boat Harbour near Anna Bay.

The site will have 12-hour battery capabilities, which will ensure the tower will continue to function through a blackout.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says that it is important that locals can use their mobile phone in the event of an emergency.

"Fullerton Cove is home to a large population of retirees, many of whom consider their lack of mobile phone reception to be a safety issue," she says.

"As such a quick and direct line to emergency services is essential."

Williamtown PFAS report disheartens residents

BY GRACE LANCASTER

Williamtown residents continue to be disappointed with the Federal Government's efforts to address the financial impacts of contamination due to the RAAF Base.

The report comes after a Greens and Labor sponsored motion calling for the Government to stop the spread of PFAS contamination, improve testing of the environment, and evaluate the financial impacts details the financial impacts on affected businesses and Red Zone residents. 

After being tabled behind Monday's deadline Patterson MP, Meryl Swanson, slammed the report speaking for the residents in Parliment yesterday as she called the it an insult to residents facing grim futures. 

"These people have grave fears for their financial futures, they have grave fears for their health due to the much publicised connections that have been made between PFAS and the human immune system and rates of cancer and their mental health is under siege."

Disheartened with the report on PFAS contamination, she told parliament yesterday the community is frightened, begging for the Government to help. 

"My community is on the edge...I call upon the Prime Minister, in fact, I am begging the Prime Minister and this government to intervene immediately." 

Patterson MP: Meryl Swanson 

Paterson MP Calls out Centrelink Wait Times

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Following the release of Centrelink's annual report, Paterson MP Meryl Swanson is calling out the welfare system for increased phone wait times.

She says she's been inundated with calls from disgruntled constituents who are trying to navigate the increasingly web-dominated services. 

Indeed, the Centrelink website reveals a continued "focus on improving the delivery of services, in particular, digital services," with more than 700 million digital, online and telephone self-service transactions recorded over the 2016-2017 period. 

This figure contrasts the 52 million human-operated calls and 19 million in-person visits to Centrelink offices. 

It's this "self-service" aspect of the system which Ms Swanson believes is failing to provide for the most vulnerable members of our community. 

"We need to be able to provide services for people who are on the aged pension and suffer from disabilities...it's about providing proper service for those who need it." 

She says Centrelink is under-resourced and under-staffed; in dire need of more permanent full-time staff who are qualified and familiar with the complex issues of Australians who require income support. 

"It's one thing to say you want to be efficient, it's another to cut something back to the bone.

"We need to start looking for proper efficiency, whilst still providing these basic services people need...it's clearly gone beyond that when people are left on-hold for long periods."