27 May 2017 – NSW Parliament Wrap Up
It seemed as if the Government had a media release for every occasion this week, with policies announced for issues as diverse as animal conservation (Monday), parliamentary entitlements, revenge porn and social housing fraud (Tuesday), and Millers Point asset sales (just about every other day). We could go on, but that would spoil the fun.
Read on to find out more…
Government provides funding for marine research centre
On Monday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that the Government will contribute $100,000 towards establishing a marine research facility in Sydney Harbour. The grant’s recipient, the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, will use the funding to develop a business plan for a new research and teaching hub, to be located somewhere other than its current Chowder Bay premises. The Institute has received Government funding twice in recent years, once for a research program and once to roll out a seaweed planting initiative.
Feedback welcomed for shark net trial
Two weeks ago, PremierState reported that the Government’s trial of shark nets on the state’s north coast will end next month. On Monday, the Department of Primary Industries invited feedback on the trial, ahead of a decision about the future use of nets later this year. If you feel strongly about saving sharks (or beachgoers for that matter), now’s the time to speak up.
Koala fence to be constructed on NSW north coast
If sharks don’t float your boat, then perhaps koalas will. On Monday, Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey announced that the Government will build a 10 kilometre fence to prevent koalas from becoming roadkill. The fence will be built along the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina, part of a broader upgrade of the highway on the state’s north coast.
“Guess what $206,000 buys in NSW? That is the level of the donation from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union to the Labor Party…The Leader of the Opposition backs the RBTU because he is paid to do so.” — Minister for Transport Andrew Constance
New revenge porn laws make intimate image distribution an offence
In question time on Tuesday, Attorney General Mark Speakman answered questions about the Government’s new revenge porn laws. The Crimes Amendment (Intimate Images) Bill 2017 will make it an offence to intentionally record or distribute intimate images—including photos and videos—without consent. People who breach the laws could face up to three years in prison and fines of as much as $11,000. A further $5,500 fine and two year prison sentence could also be applied for failure to remove material after being asked. Interestingly, the laws provide for special consideration of cases involving children under 16 years of age.
Premier cracks down on parliamentary pensions for corrupt MPs
On Tuesday, the Premier introduced legislation to prevent corrupt politicians from accessing pension entitlements. The legislation closes a loophole that was enabling former MPs to claim a parliamentary pension if they resigned before being found guilty of an offence. The Premier singled out disgraced former Labor MPs Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald in particular, just in case anyone had forgotten they were crooked…
Government recovers $1 million from social housing tenants
Finally, Tuesday saw Minister for Social Housing Pru Goward announce that the Government has raised almost $1 million since April through an initiative designed to ensure social housing tenants are paying appropriate rents. Last month, the Department of Family and Community Services launched an amnesty for social housing tenants who declared new sources of income, financial assets and unauthorised occupants, promising such declarations would not attract a penalty. More than 5,000 declarations have been made so far.
Premier responds to Coroner’s inquest into Lindt Café siege
In question time on Wednesday, the Premier formally responded to NSW Coroner Michael Barnes’ inquest into the 2014 Lindt Café siege. After paying tribute to victims Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, the Premier committed to considering all of the Coroner’s recommendations as quickly as possible. She also stood firm in supporting the Coroner’s finding that the siege was an act of terrorism, rhetoric that hasn’t always been used following the attack.
More Millers Point properties listed for sale
Back in March, PremierState reported that the Government was selling a number of properties owned by Family and Community Services in Millers Point. If you missed out then you’re in luck, because a further four properties, housing 33 apartments, were put up for sale on Wednesday. Property NSW is open to selling the properties in one line, and is accepting expressions of interest until 22 June. But wait! There’s more below…
New recovery grants for state’s north coast
On Thursday, Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant announced that the Government would offer more communities affected by flooding on the state’s north coast access to recovery grants. Primary producers, not-for-profits and small businesses in Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Richmond Valley will now be able to access a range of recovery grants as well as other disaster relief support services.
NSW leads the nation in regional job creation
And now for another update about the measures by which NSW leads the nation. This week, it’s regional employment. Between April 2015 and April 2017, more than 58,000 new jobs were created in regional NSW, equivalent to 40 per cent of all new jobs in the state. The figure is also triple the total number of jobs that were created in SA, Tasmania and WA in that time. In addition, 39,000 jobs have been created in Western Sydney since May 2016, while a further 13,000 jobs have been created on the Mid-North Coast.
EOI called for inner west bus privatisations
Last week, Minister for Transport & Infrastructure Andrew Constance announced he intends to privatise the operation of Bus Region 6, servicing Sydney’s inner west. On Friday morning, the Government called for expressions of interest in the region, which is currently operated by the State Transit Authority. Under the terms of the privatisation, the Government will retain responsibility for setting fares while private operators will be held to strict cleanliness, customer satisfaction, reliability, and safety performance standards. It is anticipated the operating contracts will last between five and ten years’ duration, with a re-tender process at the end of that time. The Government timed today’s announcement well, with Infrastructure Australia, the Federal Government’s infrastructure advisory body, releasing a report showing transport privatisations could save governments as much as $15.5 billion by 2040.
Yet more Millers Point properties listed for sale
Picking up from where we left off on Wednesday, Friday saw the Government list a further 14 apartments for sale in Millers Point, this time in properties between 46 and 56C Gloucester Street. Expressions of interest in their purchase are being accepted until 20 June. Compared to some of the other properties that have been sold in recent months, these ones are in quite good nick.