WIN Network continuing with business as usual

BY JESSICA ROUSE

After the Ten Network was forced to go into voluntary administration yesterday, affiliate programming partner WIN is determined to continue with business as usual, broadcasting to regional areas like the Hunter.

Channel Ten has appointed KordaMentha as voluntary administrators of the company and its subsidiaries.

WIN says it will keep a close eye on the situation but at the moment there'll be no changes to programming or their business.

The programming partner recently acquired much of the regional network from Southern Cross Austereo, reinforcing their commitment to free-to-air broadcasting in regional NSW.

Image mediaweek.com.au

Local showgrounds could be under threat

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Throughout the Hunter, showgrounds are managed by volunteer trusts, but this could all change when new Crown Land Laws come into effect.

The new Crown Lands Management Act 2016 will be able to transfer a wide range of Crown Lands to local councils and other government agencies.

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Mick Veitch sees the move as yet another example of the National Party failing rural and regional communities.

"There's a real risk under the new laws that the minister of the day can transfer crown land including showgrounds to your local council to manage. What that means is, if the councils keen to sell off and develop that land they can do so under the new regime," said Mick Veitch.

The changes to the laws would see the showgrounds most likely taken out of the trust hands and transferred to local councils and government who would be likely to sell the community assets, particularly if they are strapped for cash.

"Right across the Hunter there are showgrounds managed by hard working trusts and these trusts need support and they need support from the community as well as government. What I'm saying to the minister, is we need to make sure the communities continue to have a say in the management of these showgrounds via the trust system."

NSW Labor sought to move amendments to the Crown Lands laws which would have prevented councils reclassifying Crown Land as "operational" land that could be sold off.

Image @MickVeitchMLC

Temporary work visa replacement scheme could affect Hunter workers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Temporary work visas, or 457 visas, will be a thing of the past with Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull announcing the visa would be replaced by two new visas.

Foreign workers take up a lot of work in regional areas like the Hunter, particularly in the health sector, and there are fears the new scheme will either create more jobs, or leave jobs without anyone to fill them. 

It's likely 200 fewer industries will be able to access overseas staff and there will be stricter conditions placed on those who do come to Australia to work under two new visas.

Member for the Hunter Joel FitzGibbon says the system was being wroughted, but he questions whether the new reforms will actually prove to make a difference.

"Jobs were going to foreigners which could have been filled by local people - now Malcom Turnbull has been sitting on his hands and knees for years, and whether he has now successfully really moved to fix it is a question we still don't know the answer to," said Joel FitzGibbon.

The Prime Minister says the reforms will focus on "Australian jobs and Australian values" giving Aussies the chance to get more work.

Image www.theaustralian.com.au

Current visa holders won't be affected by the changes.

"Well is this is genuine change, I welcome it. But Malcom Turnbull has given us none of the details about his new visa scheme, there is no doubt 457's were being wroughted costing Australians jobs," said Joel FitzGibbon.

Hunter independent service stations should expect a visit from SafeWork

BY JARROD MELMETH

The New South Wales Government has today launched a project aimed at educating independently-owned service stations in regional NSW, including the Hunter on safety and workers compensation, as well as obtaining fuel pricing information.

The project is in response to recent SafeWork research that found small, independently-owned service stations lack understanding of work health and safety in relation to storage, handling and use of dangerous goods, as well as safety and emergency plans.

Director North Region SafeWork NSW, Laurence Ritchie says Hunter service station owners should expect a visit.

"It's quite possible that there will be visits across the Hunter Region, but that will not be in the Greater Metropolitan area.

"The Hunter Region itself is quite broad and we will be looking to go to service stations that out lie the Hunter area," Mr Ritchie said.

SafeWork NSW Group Director, Regional Operations and Sector Initiatives, Tony Williams said the project was about increasing the ability of service stations in regional NSW to work safely and more productively.

"Due to their isolation, small independently-owned service stations in regional NSW have received less frequent assistance in the past.

"By Supporting them to understand their work health and safety, workers compensation and trading obligations, workers will be safer and consumers better protected," Mr Williams said.

During visits, SafeWork inspectors will advise local operators how to comply with dangerous goods regulations and ensure they have adequate and up to date safety and emergency plans.

"We've worked with stakeholders who have supported us going out," Mr Ritchie said.

Operators that receive a visit may be eligible to claim a $500 rebate from SafeWork NSW, to put towards the purchase and installation of eligible safety items that address a safety problem.

Roll-out of Police tablets welcomed in the Hunter

BY TYLER FARDELL

The roll-out of mobile tablet devices for frontline officers across the state has been welcomed by Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald.

The devices will simplify the process of issuing infringements and allowing officers mobile access to police systems.

"These devices simplify the process of issuing infringements so officers don't have to return to the station meaning they spend more time out on the beat" Mr MacDonald said.

900 devices from the Mobile Policing Program have already been rolled out across the state with 72 devices going towards officers in the Hunter region.

"It will be of particular benefit to officers in country areas who travel long distances to return to their station to complete administrative tasks".

Scot MacDonald