Prime Minister praises M1 extension

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in the Hunter this morning, looking over the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace. 

The $2.1 billion dollar project, is slated to be finished in 2028 and will see a 15 kilometer extension made to the Motorway.

The extension is expected to cut down on nine minutes of travel time during peak periods, with the  removal of 25,000 vehicles from key congestion and merge points between Newcastle and Maitland each day. 

Prime Minister Albanese praised the extension for expected improvements in road safety, and what this will mean for families and workers travelling up and down the east coast. 

"When we build better roads, we get better outcomes for road safety. Better outcomes means saving lives and reducing accidents which we have seen unfortunately rise around the nation."

Additionally, Prime Minister Albanese said the reduced travel time will increase productivity throughout the Hunter region. 

"The Port of Newcastle is one of Australia's most important, and this project will ensure there's massive productivity benefits for all in the region."

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.

Hunter MPs take to the government benches for the first time

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The 47th Federal Parliament kicks off today, with Hunter MPs taking to the government benches for the first time in their careers.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy, Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson have been in opposition since their respective elections, but will finally cross the chamber as Labor claims power.

Ms Claydon is also the party's pick for Deputy Speaker, with Queensland MP Milton Dick likely to be Speaker.

The Government is expected to take steps toward major aged care reform and the implementation of ten days paid domestic violence for all workers.

"It's finally an opportunity to put on the agenda all of the things that the people of Newcastle voted for," Ms Claydon said.

"This first week of Parliament, for a new Labor Government, is to first and foremost start bringing Australians together, creating that better future that we put to the Australian people at the election."

It's Hunter MP Dan Repacholi's first time altogether as a member, one of 35 new MPs in the Lower House.

He's a fresh face in the Canberra ranks, but won't be delivering his inaugural speech on Tuesday.

The former sport shooter says he's looking forward to his first term in Parliament.

"Pumped, to be honest," he said. "This is an amazing thing to represent the Hunter, and an amazing thing to represent Australia."

"To be in the Australian Federal Government, it's an amazing thing to do."