NSW parliamentary committee calling for submissions to the Inquiry into the response to major flooding across New South Wales in 2022

Northern Rivers Times, 14 April 2022:

A parliamentary committee is calling, for submissions into an inquiry into the response to major flooding across New South Wales recently.

In particular, the inquiry will consider the preparation, coordination and response to the flooding experienced on the North Coast and in Western Sydney.

Committee Chair and Shadow Minister for the North Coast, the Hon Walt Secord MLC, stated: ‘The floods we have seen on the North Coast and in Western Sydney over the last few weeks have been devastating on local communities. A parliamentary inquiry was established to examine concerns raised by local communities about the adequacy of support and resources available to them.’

The Chair continued: “The committee encourages all interested stakeholders, including affected communities, organisations and experts, to share their experiences and views on the response to flooding across the state as this will help us to consider lessons for the future.”

In particular, the committee is seeking views on the:

• preparation, coordination and response by government agencies to the floods

• role, composition and resourcing of key government agencies involved in the flood response

• coordination between various stakeholders including the state government, federal government, local governments, private sector organisations and the community

• public communication, systems and strategies

• implementation of recommendations from inquiries into previous natural disasters

• overall effectiveness of the flood response.

Submissions close 8 May 2022 and can be lodged online.

[my yellow highlighting]

The committee will also be reaching out directly to local communities to encourage participation given that many people may be disconnected from the internet or otherwise may not have the resources to make a submission.

The Chair said: “We are aware that people in the most affected regions may be without services and are understandably focusing on rebuilding. For this reason, we are making every effort to liaise with local, state and federal members as well as local community groups to ensure that as many people as possible can contribute to the inquiry if they wish and as they are able.”

The committee will also hold public hearings on the North Coast and in Western Sydney, providing an opportunity for local communities to contribute directly to the inquiry.

[my yellow highlighting]

For information on making a submission please see the committee’s website and the terms of reference for the inquiry.

While the personal stories of those directly affected by the floods will be valuable to the inquiry, it is important to note that the purpose of the inquiry is to make recommendations to the government.

If you have a question about how you can make a submission or contribute to the hearings, please contact the committee secretariat on 02 9230 3067 or email floods@parliament.nsw.gov.au.

Click on image to enlarge

Select Committee Membership

Chair: Walt Secord, (ALP, LC Member)

Deputy Chair: Mark Banasiak, (SFF, LC Member)

Members:

Scott Barrett, (NAT, LC Member)

Catherine Cusack, (LIB, LC Member)

Cate Faehrmann, Cate (GRNS, LC Member)

Rod Roberts, (PHON, LC Member)

Penny Sharpe, (ALP, LC Member)

• Resolution establishing the committee - 23 March 2022

• Terms of reference - Response to major flooding across New South Wales in 2022

Australian Federal Election 2022: Page & Richmond Electorates State of Play mid-April

The Canberra Times, 16 April 2022:

Mr Joyce's re-election proclamation has been to "make Australia as strong as possible as quickly as possible" in the face of global uncertainty by boosting exports in sectors like mining and minerals.

"Our number one priority is the security of our nation which must be underpinned by our capacity to pay for it," Mr Joyce said as he turned the sod on a central Queensland coal mine.

"And we pay for it with iron ore, we pay for it with coal, we pay for it with gas, we pay for it with live cattle, live sheep, irrigated cotton, irrigated wheat.

"We're going to have an epiphany about how we earn money because if we don't earn money we're poor and if we're poor, we're weak."…...

The Nationals are sandbagging some otherwise safe seats in Queensland and NSW after a series of natural disasters turned public sentiment against the federal government.

Kevin Hogan, whose northern NSW electorate of Page encompasses Lismore - the region worst hit by recent flooding - would normally consider his seat safe for the Nats on a 9.5 per cent margin.

But with NSW state Liberal MP Catherine Cusack accusing the Prime Minister of politicising the devastating floods, publicly stating she wouldn't vote for him, and anger bubbling at delayed government responses, some in Labor believe the seat could prove to be their dark horse.

The adjacent seat of Cowper held by Nationals MP Pat Conaghan on a slimmer 6.8 per cent margin, will also need reinforcements…..

What this news article did not mention was the fact that Kevin Hogan quickly became notorious across the entire NSW Northern Rivers last month when he rather aggressively stated words to the effect that the debate is over on the use of engineered structures on north-eastern coastal rivers and that government will make those decisions not communities.

Tweed Daily News, 14 April 2022:

What area does Richmond cover?

Richmond covers an area from the New South Wales/Queensland border in the north to Ballina and Pimlico in the south.

The main towns include Ballina, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Burringbar, Byron Bay, Hastings Point, Kingscliff, Lennox Head, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Suffolk Park, and Tweed Heads.

Overtime the seat has been a traditionally conservative held by the nationals party five times, three of which were in the Anthony family – Hubert Lawrence Anthony (1937 – 1957), former deputy prime minister Doug Anthony (1957 – 1984) and most recently Larry Anthony (1996 – 2004).

The Labor Party has held the seat twice, by Neville Newell between 1990 – 1996 and most recently Justine Elliot since 2004.

Ms Elliot retained the seat with a 4.1 per cent margin in the 2019 election.

Who are the candidates?

Justine Elliot, Labor

The current member for Richmond Justine Elliott will be running again this election.

Ms Elliot said this election Labor’s plans were for cheaper power bills, cheaper childcare and more secure, well-paid jobs.

“From our $10 billion plan to ease the housing crisis, to our comprehensive plan to tackle climate change and create over 600,000 jobs, and the creation of a federal anti-corruption commission – Labor is on your side,” Ms Elliot said.

“Labor will create a better life by securing Medicare and making it easier to go and see the doctor and we’ll make childcare more affordable and fix the aged care crisis.

“We will invest in secure local jobs – investing in skills and training including Fee-Free TAFE in areas of skill shortage. We’ll bring manufacturing home.”

She said Labor will also scrap the cashless debit cards.

“As your local MP, I’m proud to have delivered more than $2 billion for local jobs, schools, health, roads and community resources. I am always on your side and committed to working with everyone to build a better North Coast,” she said.

Ms. Elliot spoke up swiftly and loudly, along with her state political counterparts Catherine Cusack Liberal MLC and Janelle Saffin Labor MLA, objecting to Prime Minister Morrison's attempt to use enhanced direct relief funding for flood victims as a form of 'pork barrelling' aimed at benefiting only the Nationals-held Page electorate.

Also contesting the seat at the 21 May election will be:

Kimberley Hone, National Party. A Pentecostal ‘preacher’ with a Family First & Australian Christian Lobby background, who appears determined to bring the Kingdom of God into federal politics - “the ultimate goal for me, just like my husband and I have done with business, I want to bring God’s kingdom to the political arena and I want God’s kingdom to penetrate the political mountain”. A local resident of around 3 ½ years standing;

Mandy Nolan, The Greens. A performer, comedian, MC, writer, author, artist, teacher, ambassador and activist, who has lived in the Richmond electorate for more than 30 years and, as a longtime resident has an understanding of local and regional issues;

Gary Biggs, Liberal Democrats. A big fan of ‘freedoms’ apparently discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic and it seems of little else. “The average punter needs the chance to vote for a real freedom party, a party with liberty at its very core. Not a party who discovered “more freedom” just in time for an election.”;

Robert Marks, United Australia Party. Has been with millionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer's party for nine years and unsuccessfully run in six elections, five as a party candidate; and

Monica Shepherd, Informed Medical Opinions Party. A self-described “clinical naturopath” with apparently no formal medical qualifications, who appears committed more to an across the board anti-vaccination & anti-fluoride agenda than than to existing freedom of choice.

Candidates standing in Page Electorate at 21 May 2022 Federal General Election - Part 2. Hanabeth Luke, in her own words

Dr. Hannabeth Luke
IMAGE: https://www.hanabethluke.com.au/

Hi, I’m Dr Hanabeth Luke and I am running as your Independent candidate for Page.

I’m a scientist and Marine Rescue volunteer. I teach at Southern Cross University and I’m raising a family in Evans Head.

I’m disappointed with what I see in politics and think we can do better.

We need a local champion to represent our values and views in Canberra.

I will fight for decency and honesty in government, with a fair allocation of funding to strengthen our regional industries and health systems.

I stand for a fair future where everyone has a home, with quality education and training for all the people of Page.

We need to plan for a rapid transition to a carbon neutral economy that supports our farmers and communities.

I have the integrity and decency to speak up for our region.

All I need is your vote!

Media Release: THE DEBATE IS DONE? The Conversation is Only Just Beginning by clarencegirl on Scribd

Tweet of the Week

The Australien Government has made an ad about its carbon credits and offsets scheme, and it’s surprisingly honest and informative!

👉 We're on Patreon: https://t.co/bygjz39Cf0 pic.twitter.com/QJGEOK3WEL

— theJuiceMedia (@thejuicemedia) April 10, 2022

Quote of the Week

 

'“Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals, but the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.” – United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres' [Antonio Guterres quoted in The Guardian, 7 April 2022 by climate scientist & author Peter Kalmus PhD Physics, Data Scientist - NASA]

Australian Federal Election 2022: National Minimum Wage and the Gig Economy

 

Attempting to add a little context to the mention of wages during the current federal election campaign.......

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman:

The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. This is the minimum pay rate provided by the Fair Work Act 2009 and is reviewed each year.

As of 1 July 2021 the National Minimum Wage is $20.33 per hour or $772.60 per week.

Employees covered by an award or registered agreement are entitled to the minimum pay rates, including penalty rates and allowances in their award or agreement. These pay rates may be higher than the National Minimum Wage.

The National Minimum Wage is varied for Apprentice and Trainee pay rates, Junior pay rates and Employees with disability pay rates.

The National Minimum Wage is set by the Fair Work Commission. The federal government of the day appoints Fair Work presidents, vice-presidents, deputy presidents and commissioners, of whom there are generally 42 in number. Since December 2018 it has been the Morrison Government making appointments to the Commission and allegations have persisted that it is now an employer dominated agency.

In June 2021 the National Minimum Wage increase represented a rise in remuneration of 2.5% before tax – rising from $19.24 to $20.84 an hour. That increase was a lordly 49 cents per hour worked.

At that time the Australian Attorney-General’s Department estimated that around 180,200 Australian employees (or 1.7% of the paid workforce) were being paid the national minimum wage rate. Though I rather suspect that that figure may have been years out of date when it was presented to the Commission.

Now during its annual wage reviews, the Fair Work Commission receives a number of submissions from government, industry groups, unions and other interested parties.

During the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2021 the  Morrison Government submitted its position on any change to the National Minimum Wage, which took 102 pages to say low or moderate increases are better than larger increases – if increases have to happen at all. Along with a somewhat novel argument from an ordinary citizen’s perspective, that there was no urgent need for a rise in the minimum wage because government supports low income households in other ways and it expects future minimum wage rate increases to be eaten away by government taxes.

This was the same basic approach taken previously by the Morrison Government during the Annual Wage Review 2020 and Annual Wage Review 2019. To which had been added in both those submissions, the argument that previous minimum wages allowed workers sufficient purchasing power. I note that it was in this period that the National Minimum Wage rose by 56 cents an hour in 2019 and by 35 cents an hour in 2020.

The next annual review of the national wage will announce its decision in the months after the 21 May federal general election – sometime in June-July 2022.

I think North Coast Voices readers would be safe in assuming that if re-elected the Morrison Government will be submitting arguments which resist decent National Minimum Wage increases for the next four financial years.

The last quarterly Cost Price Index was issued in December 2021 and showed a 3.5% overall increase - primarily driven by rises in the cost of transport, housing, household goods & services and health. While 2022 sees reports of sharply rising costs ahead of the first quarter Cost Price Index due to be released on 27 April.

There is another issue concerning the National Minimum Wage. It appears that workers in what is known as the “gig economy”, ie., individuals providing services to consumers for a fee via digital platforms or marketplaces, are outside the protection of the National Minimum Wage.

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman; Individuals working in the gig economy often perform work as independent contractors. This means they may have a commercial relationship with the company that hosts the digital platform or the consumers who receive their services.

This month, April 2022, the NSW Legislative Council Select Committee On The Impact Of Technological And Other Change On The Future Of Work And Workers In New South Wales released its first report titled The gig economy.

The report stated in part:

Food delivery workers and rideshare drivers typify the on-demand workforce. These workers' legal status under Commonwealth legislation as 'independent contractors' as opposed to 'employees' means they have few workplace entitlements. While the committee has noted the positive impact of on-demand work on the New South Wales economy, and some benefits that can flow for workers from flexible arrangements, our primary focus has been on the many significant disadvantages attached: the absence of guaranteed minimum wages and working hours, and of paid leave provisions; poor safety standards; and the lack of a fair dispute system in the event of workplace injury.

In short, the cyclist who delivers our Friday night takeaway receives next to none of the conditions long considered fair and decent across Australia. The job itself also puts workers in very real danger of injury, abuse and harassment. Late 2020 was marked by the deaths of no less than five food delivery riders, all while this inquiry was underway. These deaths, and the high potential for further tragedy, underscore the need for immediate action by the NSW Government.

From extensive evidence over eight hearings to date, the committee has concluded that current laws perpetuate the overwhelming power imbalance between lone 'contractors' and multinational platform companies, rather than mitigating it. Correspondingly, we have made four key findings: that New South Wales is falling behind other states and comparable nations in developing laws that establish decent working conditions in the gig economy; that the failure to provide gig workers with a minimum wage, paid leave and other basic workplace entitlements is increasing inequality in New South Wales; that gig workers currently lack the power to interact and negotiate with on-demand platforms as equals in New South Wales; and that the failure to provide gig workers with access to a low-cost independent tribunal empowered to hear and decide disputes is leading to injustice in New South Wales.

This was Leader of the Opposition & MP for Grayndler Anthony Albanese on Twitter, 26 February 2021, concerning the "gig economy":

Every Australian worker deserves the safety net of the Australian minimum wage. That’s the whole point. It’s the bare minimum. The reality is that workers in the gig economy aren’t getting a fair deal. We've got people earning $10 an hour with no sick leave and no security. We can do better. That’s why a Labor Government I lead will extend the powers of the Fair Work Commission to create minimum standards for gig economy workers – such as super, collective bargaining, and unfair dismissal protections. Labor is on your side.

While this was Australian Attorney-General & Minister for Industrial Relations Senator Michaelia Cash on behalf of the Morrison Government, Canberra Times, 1 June 2021:

Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash said she was wary of reforms that could stifle innovation, limit flexible work and raise prices in the gig economy.

Scott Morrison on the subject of the gig economy workforce, The Australian 13 April 2022, p.12:

Mr Morrison says it [size of the gig economy workforce] has changed little in 20 years.

Candidates standing in Page Electorate at 21 May 2022 Federal General Election - Part 1. Kashmir Miller, in her own words

Clarence Valley Independent, 13 April 20222:

Kashmir Miller, a fifth-generation Northern Rivers woman and a passionate youth advocate, is proud to be The Greens candidate for the seat of Page in the 2022 Federal Election. Image: Contributed

 

Born and raised in Lismore, 22-year-old Kashmir Miller 

is proud to be The Greens candidate for the seat of 

Page in the 2022 Federal Election.

After experiencing the catastrophic floods which

devastated Northern NSW, Ms Miller said during the 

past month locals have “watched the climate 

catastrophe arrive in our communities and our homes.”

“I’m here to tell the government that the time for

community consultation is far from over, and that we

cannot engineer our way out of the climate crisis,” she

said.

Ms Miller is adamant Australia needs a Federal

Government that is prepared to act seriously on climate

change, by legislating towards net zero by 2030, and

adapting to the challenges of more extreme weather

events that climate change brings.

“The reality of climate change after the recent floods is 

that the existing affordable housing crisis will worsen,”

she explained.

“Comprehensive mental health care is also vital to support

displaced communities and it must be included in

Medicare.

“I am running for The Greens because they are the only

party which have fought over many years on climate

change, properly funded health and education, and for

showing proper respect to our environment and our

diverse populations, particularly Indigenous and LGBTIQ+

people.

“The Greens have a long track record in improving the

integrity of our democracy in NSW through political

donation reforms and support for ICAC, measures that

are needed in Canberra too.”

Prior to commencing her political career, Ms Miller trained

as an actor and has been involved with local community

theatre for over 10 years.

She is passionate about providing the arts community with

the support it needs to get back on its feet.

“I experienced first-hand the effects of Federal 

Government cuts to arts schools and also to student

support, and this has led me to become a youth advocate

for the Raise the Rate campaign, fighting for students to

have a liveable income and address the housing crisis,”

she said.

“We need more representation for young people, LGBTQI+

 people and women, as The Nationals and Labor are falling

 behind.

“Parliament is severely lacking in diversity, and I will not 

sit around and wait for someone to fix it. “Politics is not

 easily accessible for people in my generation and our

 current MPs do not reflect our values.”

Ms Miller is currently finishing a law degree at Southern

Cross University (SCU) and has a long history of

involvement in local community groups.

She said she is excited to engage with the communities of

the electorate of Page to understand their values and 

what they want from their elected representatives, so she

can better represent them in Parliament.