AMWU demanding action on Hunter rail manufacture

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Rail workers and unions gathered outside the Crowne Plaza in Newcastle this morning before a Senate Inquiry got underway into the manufacture of trains in Australia.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union is demanding the Federal Government bring train building contracts back to the Hunter.

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee inquiry into the state of Australia's rail industry in Newcastle this morning heard evidence from local firms, expert witnesses and workers.

Image AMWU Twitter

"We felt that we got a very good and robust engagement with the Senate inquiry and we'll be continuing to campaign and lobby for our position to make sure the government and Malcom Turnbull do the right thing," said AMWU Assistant National Secretary Glenn Thompson.

The AMWU says $4 billion worth of local train building contracts have gone offshore and it needs to stop.

"State wise this government has been absolutely appalling with the $2.3 billion contract for 65 trainsets going to South Korea. Now Minister Constance should be called the employment minister for South Korea because he's creating a lot of jobs and a lot of apprenticeships in South Korea but not here in Newcastle and the Hunter," said Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.

Tim Crakanthorp believes if a full proof policy is put in place, the Hunter will benefit astronomically with more jobs and quality products being produced.  

The Newcastle MP says 1200 direct jobs and up to 2800 indirect jobs are going to be affected after the government awarded a $2.3 billion contract for a South Korean manufacturer.

Demand for new railcars is expected to grow by about 11,000 in the next 30 years.

"The key is for the government to get a policy in place with the state premiers to ensure that we have a policy that we build all trains in Australia and of course the Hunter - where there have been 100 years of building trains - we'd be in prime position to benefit from such a policy," said Glenn Thompson.

There are already manufacturers in the Hunter, all they need are contracts.

"We have UGL who still do produce diesel locomotives but they haven't had a proper train contract for manufacture for some time and unfortunately we've lost many many skilled workers who've left the area because there simply aren't the jobs," he said.

Image AMWU Twitter

Quad bike safety training free for farmers

BY JARROD MELMETH

Farmers, including those in the Hunter, will now receive free quad bike training in a boost to the safety improvement program aimed at significantly reducing the number of deaths on rural properties across NSW.

SafeWork NSW in partnership with Tocal College will deliver up to 100 training events in regional and remote areas across NSW previously costing upwards of $200 after a government rebate of $310.

Member for the Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen said, offering incentives for quad bike safety will reduce deaths as a result of quad bikes.

"I can't put more hours in a day but what I can do is make it as easy as possible to access training.

"That is why we are abolishing the fee. That is why we are giving helmets away. To make sure people are safe when using quad bikes.

"We are trying to raise awareness about how dangerous these quad bikes are and about how important it is to ride them safely and to use appropriate equipment when using them," Mr Johnsen said.

Since 2011, there have been 113 deaths from quad bike accidents across Australia, with 32 incidents just in NSW.

In March this year, the government doubled the rebates available under the scheme for farmers who want to buy a safer side-by-side farm vehicle, retrofit safety equipment to existing quad bikes, and/or buy an approved helmet.

Today's announcement is about removing a barrier to accessing training and making it as safe as possible for farmers who use quad bikes," Mr Johnsen said.

L-R: Singleton's Gavin Wake, Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen, Max Wake
 and Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean at the Wake
 property on Sunday.

Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Opens At The John Hunter Children's Hospital

BY IAN CROUCH

A new state of the art Paediatric Intensive Care unit has been officially opened this morning at the John Hunter Children's Hospital.

The $14-million unit features 8 dedicated beds to provide intensive care treatment to around 350 seriously ill babies from the Hunter to the Queensland border each year.

Each room also has space for parents to stay overnight with their sick children and there's also a separate family/parent room for quiet time.


The new facility means seriously ill babies no longer have to be transported to Sydney for ICU treatment.

The Hospital's Acting Director of Intensive Care, Dr Jorge Brieva says it means young children won't have to share I.C.U facilities with adults which can make the experience more traumatic for them.

"..and that created some stressful and intense situations for families - very difficult at the time when the kids are sick to have to deal with a unit that also looks after more than 1700 patients in the area. So, now we have a dedicated physical space which is more intimate and more private for them," he said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Dr Jorge Brieva

Front Desk Reception At The New Paediatric ICU

Hunter Rail workers getting louder

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

With demand for new railcars expected to grow by about 11, 000 in the next 30 years, Hunter workers are calling for them to be built here in Australia, and not overseas.

Hunter train builders will hold a rally in Newcastle this morning calling for government intervention to ensure tax dollars are spent on trains being built here.

A Senate inquiry is being held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Newcastle looking into the issue.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) will hold a rally and press conference outside of the Crowne Plaza ahead of the Senate inquiry.

The AMWU says around $4 billion worth of local train building contracts have gone offshore, and they're calling on the Federal government to ensure an Australian train is never again built overseas.

V8 Supercars draw an unprecedented crowd

BY JESSICA ROUSE

More than six months out from the first Newcastle 500, the Hunter is certainly getting into the spirit of things with fans turning out in huge numbers for the V8 Supercars Fun Day on Saturday.

The Fun Day drew quite the crowd, with more than 10, 000 people heading to Foreshore Park to get their hands on discounted tickets and meet some of the drivers.

Some people lined up for four hours for tickets.

Supercars Australia are said to be starting to discuss how they can fit in more grandstands and Corporate facilities into the area, with tickets looking like they'll sell out well before November.

Cameron Park pursuit

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A driver is accused of trying to run down police before leading them on a pursuit at Cameron Park.

Just before 11pm last night, officers dove out of the way of a Holden Commodore ute on Craighall Street before the car sped off.

Officers pursued the car to West Wallsend where it was driven into the bush before going over an embankment and into a small dam.

The driver wasn't alone, he and a passenger then fled on foot but were rounded up a short time later by a police dog.

The driver is now facing several charges.

International flights by November

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Jumping on a flight overseas could be a whole lot easier when the state government announce funding for Newcastle airport to cater for international passenger flights.

The government will announce $850,000 to fit out the terminal before the end of the year.

The major upgrade will make it possible for Novocastrians and people across the Hunter to jump on a flight close to home, rather than make the long journey down to Sydney Airport.

 Airport management will now start talks with airlines to discuss flights to Bali, Fiji and New Zealand.

The announcement comes a year before Badgerys Creek Airport, which will make Newcastle the second International airport in NSW.

Image visitnewcastle.com.au