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 Committs to Hunter Clean Energy Transition Authority

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

NSW Labor has committed to creating a Hunter Clean Energy Transition Authority if it forms government this month, to guide the region through the closure of its coal-fired power stations. 

 

Formed in a bid to guide workers and businesses towards emerging industries, the authority would be similar to one established in Victoria, following the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station and Mine. 

 

It's role would be to help maximise job opportunities, re-skilling and re-deploying workers as businesses close. 

 

The Opposition hasn't yet disclosed how it will pay for the authority.

But, Shadow Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley, said the party is committed to establishing a partnership between the agency, and its proposed TAFE Manufacturing Centre for Excellence. 

She also said it will ensure the region maintains its status as an energy powerhouse. 

Liddell Power Station is slated to close in April 2023.

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." 

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." 

Muswellbrook Hospital to Receive New Operating Theatre Under $32 Million Funding Commitment

BY JARROD MELMETH

Muswellbrook Hospital is receiving some love in the form of a $32 million commitment from State Labor, promising to complete stage 2 of it's redevelopment, should they be elected in 2023.

Labor Leader Jodi Mckay and Shadow Health Minister Ryan Park, joined Upper Hunter candidate Jeff Drayton on Monday to announce the funding. 

Under the new plans, the hospital will be upgraded with a new general ward on the lower ground floor, added maternity services, central sterilising and an operating theatre. 

Currently the hospital reportedly has a surgical ward but no accompanying operating theatre. 

The NSW Government completed a $21.5 million stage two of the redevelopment in June 2019, at a cost of $21.5 million, which has been labelled a "stuff up by" the opposition. 

Jodi Mckay says the so-called completed redevelopment is a slap in the face for the Upper Hunter community.

"A community the size of Muswellbrook that contributes so much funding to the states economy really does deserve a good quality healthcare system."

"This has been an issue that has been around for a really long time. We know that rural health has been left behind. It depends on where your postcode is as to the level of help you receive."

"In Muswellbrook there has certainly been a lack of funding and lack of will to actually improve the healthcare services," Ms Mckay said.

Upper Hunter Candidate Jeff Drayton says the region does a lot of the heavy lifting for the state and its high time they got something out if it. 

"We send nearly a billion dollars down the freeway a year and receive very little in return," Mr Drayton said. 

Concept plans of the NSW Governments upgrades
to Muswellbrook Hospital completed in 2019.
Source: NSWHealth

Maitland MP Disappointed in Use of Parliamentary Privilege in Foley Allegations

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Maitland MP and Shadow Minister for Women Jenny Aitchison says the NSW Premier needs to think about the sort of people she has on her front bench, after parliamentary privilege was used in parliament to accuse Luke Foley of sexual harassment.

Mr Foley has stepped down as leader of the opposition and is launching defamation proceedings, after Liberal MP David Elliot brought up a series of events which allegedly occurred at a 2016 Christmas party between Mr Foley and ABC journalist Ashleigh Raper.

It's claimed Mr Foley touched Ms Raper inappropriately on the buttocks under her dress and underwear.

In a statement from Ms Raper issued by the ABC, she says she didn't want to make a complaint but was forced to speak on the matter when it was brought into the public eye.

Jenny Aitchison believes David Elliot should not have raised the matter without Ms Raper's permission.

"We have seen some really disturbing trends in politics of male politicians using women and potentially weaponising them through the process by abusing parliamentary privilege," she says, "he has done no favours to anyone in this space, particularly not Ashleigh Raper."

"I think the Premier needs to think about the kind of people who are on her front bench, who would raise an allegation like this in parliament...for a political point for no regard for what the person at the centre of those allegations might be thinking or feeling, or indeed what they want.

"This has all been done without [Ms Raper's] consent, and it is a vile and reprehensible act," Ms Aitchison says.

David Elliot has issued a statement this afternoon - "This has clearly been a difficult time for the journalist," he says, "I have long held concerns over the character of the alternate Premier. To that end, it was never my intent to cause distress for the journalist."

It's anticipated current Deputy NSW Labor Leader, Michael Daley will be elected as a replacement for Luke Foley, with the state election looming in March 2019.

Luke Foley resigns. Image: SBS. 

Labor Commits To Affordable Housing At Broadmeadow

BY IAN CROUCH

A future state Labor government will set aside 25 percent of land earmarked for medium density housing at Broadmeadow for affordable housing.

The Berejiklian government has reportedly earmarked a large parcel of land adjacent to the Locomotive Depot off Cameron Street at Broadmeadow for private development, which would allow for medium density housing.

While in it's draft stage, the 'Locomotive Depot Precinct' plan has not allocated any affordable housing for the site, which is also adjacent to the planned Broadmeadow Sports and Entertainment Precinct.

The Triangular Piece Of Land Earmarked For Medium Density Housing

Labor has seized on this apparent omission by the government, promising to set aside 25 percent of residential development on the site for affordable housing.

Affordable housing is specifically targeted at low to middle income earners, especially those employed in important sectors such as police and nurses  who work in the city, but can't afford to live close by.

Shadow Minister For Planning and Infrastructure, Michael Daley joined Newcastle MP, Tim Crackanthorp at Broadmeadow for today's announcement.

Michael Daley believes the government will simply sell off the locomotive land to private developers so they can profit from high-priced medium density housing.

"We'll masterplan this site - we'll take 25 percent of the dwellings that are built here, or set them aside for young couples, tradies, police officers, teachers - we'll make then available at hugely discounted rental - 25, 30, 40 percent discounted rental," he said.

Michael Daley and Tim Crackanthorp Discuss The Need For Affordable Housing At Broadmeadow Picture: Ian Crouch

Competition Watchdog To Probe Newcastle Port Privatisation

BY IAN CROUCH

Labor leader, Luke Foley is welcoming a decision by the competition Watchdog to examine the privatisation of the Port of Newcastle.

The state government leased the Port in 2013 for 98 years in return for $1.75billion, keeping the details under wraps until after the deal was done, saying it was commercial in confidence.

The state opposition claims a secret deal was done at the time which prevents the Port of Newcastle developing a container terminal and imposes a penalty should this occur.

It's claimed the deal was done to boost the sale price of Port Botany by selling its container business as a NSW monopoly

A whistle-blower has leaked details of the arrangement, prompting the A-triple-C probe.

Luke Foley claims the deal  has hobbled the Hunter's economy.

"It is astonishing that any government would enter into a secret deal so deliberately designed to hut Newcastle's economic development," he said.

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley