NSW Greens Launch Plan to Tackle Domestic Violence

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Greens have launched their plan to tackle domestic and family violence across the Hunter and the state. 

The minor party has committed to fully fund and deliver on the recommendations of the NSW Women’s Alliance 2023 Election Platform, calling for action to end gendered violence. 

This includes funding frontline and recovery services, increasing legal assistance for women, and delivering primary prevention programs. 

The party has also put a call out to all Newcastle state election candidates to commit to funding the Domestic Violence Resource Centre run locally by Jenny's Place. 

Greens MP and Spokesperson for Domestic Violence and Abuse Abigail  Boyd, says $500,000 isn't a lot to ask to fully fund the service. 

She also said it's about time money was spent to enact lasting change. 

"You can see the other parties are very happy to commit funding to greyhound racing and to subsidies for the fossil fuel industry."

"There are so many streams of funding that we could cut out of the budget and direct towards domestic violence funding that would actually make a real difference," Ms Boyd said. 

Image: NSW Greens

NSW Greens Pledge to Use Coal Royalties to Fund the Region's Energy Transition

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Greens have announced they will introduce a new authority to support the Hunter's transition away from coal, if they win the state election. 

The NSW Transition Authority will use a budget of $500 million, to assist coal-dependent communities to diversify their local economies. 

The Authority will be funded using a progressive coal royalty system, modelled off one currently operating in Queensland. 

It's already estimated to earn the state government an extra $8 billion per year. 

The body will also ban new coal and gas projects like the one slated for Narrabri, will help re-train and place mine workers in new industries. 

Greens MP Abigail Boyd, said coal-ash recycling is one such example. 

"There are thousands of jobs that we can create in various industries, but one of the ones that the Greens have been working with the community for over the last four years in Parliament, is this growing awareness that there is a huge amount of coal-ash sitting in coal-fired power stations, that you can actually turn into light-weight construction aggregates; you can use them in roads, and in pathways."

She also said local residents and workers will be involved in every step of the process. 

Image: Lock the Gate

Calls for Improvements on Light Rail's Fourth Birthday

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Saturday marks four years since Newcastle's light rail service got up-and-running, however, rather than celebrating, there's been calls to improve the service's operations. 

Opal data shows public transport patronage in the city has dropped to barley half of what is was before the pandemic, going from 103,000 passengers in 2019, to 61,500 in 2022. 

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, attributed the lack of passengers to a poor business plan, and said the transport route isn't affective in its current state. 

The service has struggled to increase patronage numbers to pre-COVID levels, prompting calls to make trips free across the city. 

In their recently-announced Transport Plan for Newcastle, The NSW Greens committed to the idea, saying they will eliminate fees if they form government next month. 

There's also been calls to extend the service across Newcastle to McDonald Jones Stadium, as the venue continues to book more international sports and music events. 

Tim Crakanthorp said, while State Labor has not considered making the it free, they would work to preserve and extend the network. 

"If we get elected, we'll give Transport for NSW a real hurry-on to get these transport corridors preserved. That allows us to free-up access points to Hunter Park." 

T4 Coal Terminal At Kooragang Cancelled

BY IAN CROUCH.

The Greens are welcoming a decision by Port Waratah Coal Services to not proceed with the planned fourth coal loader at Kooragang.

The $5 billion T4 project was approved in 2015, five years after the original plans were released.

The approval was met with strong opposition from environmental groups who argued the coal loader would add significantly to air and noise pollution.

Chief Executive Officer for Port Waratah Coal Services, Hennie du Plooy has announced the company will be allowing it's lease agreement for portside land set aside for the terminal to lapse when it expires in 2019.

"With significant growth capacity available for the existing terminals, we do not expect that the conditions to support an investment of the large and long-term nature of Terminal 4 will be in place before the development approval lapses in September 2020," he said.

Greens Resources and Energy spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham has welcomed the decision and renewed calls for the government to develop a strategy to transition away from coal.

"This is wonderful news. Reality is catching up with the great lie that we can continue to export coal in an age of climate change," he said.

Meanwhile, Newcastle Greens Councillor, John Mackenzie believes the decision clears the way for other opportunities for the portside land.

"Cancellation of T4 means that we can bow open up Newcastle's port capacity to more diversity rather than having it quarantined for a coal industry that is on its last legs," he said.

Approval Of The T4 Project Was Met With Widespread Community Opposition Picture: theherald.com.au