A brief summary of part of Day 4 of NSW ICAC Operation Keppel's 2021 public hearings

 

“The role of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Expenditure (Expenditure Review Committee or ERC) is to assist Cabinet and the Treasurer in:

• framing the fiscal strategy and the Budget for Cabinet's consideration

• driving expenditure controls within agencies and monitoring financial performance

• considering proposals with financial implications brought forward by Ministers.

ERC is the only committee of Cabinet that can recommend any new spending or revenue proposals to Cabinet.

All spending, revenue or tax expenditure proposals by Ministers must be considered by ERC prior to final Cabinet approval unless otherwise agreed by the Premier, Deputy Premier and Treasurer…..

The Treasurer is the Chair of the ERC. The Treasurer determines the order of proceedings, and summarises the decisions made for recording by the note takers. The Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet, is the Secretary to the Committee. The Department of Premier and Cabinet and Treasury will provide note takers for meetings." [https://arp.nsw.gov.au/c2014-04-cabinet-standing-committee-expenditure-review-procedures-and-operational-rules-2014/]  [my yellow highlighting]

From 02 Apr 2015 to 23 Jan 2017 Liberal MP for Willoughby Gladys Berejiklian as NSW Treasurer was chair of the Estimates Review Committee of Cabinet (ERC) and from 23 Jan 2017 to 05 Oct 2021 she was Premier of New South Wales.

Ongoing evidence at Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) 2021 Operation Keppel public hearings to date confirms that the Estimates Review Committee revealed on 4 December 2016 that it had approved $5.5 million expenditure in 2016/2017 to the Office of Sports with funding sourced from the Retart NSW Fund program, Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.

The Restart NSW Fund - itself financed by way of the sale of government infrastructure or privatisation of its assets - being the responsibility of the NSW Treasurer.

At that point NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian had been chair of the ERC for approximately 20 months and based on previous evidence given by the then Liberal MLA for Wagga Wagga had been in a close personal friendship with him which began sometime between 2013-2015.

However, the bureaucratic path taken in assessment of the Australian Clay Target Association’s expanded proposal for an upgrade in sporting facilities as well as a new club & conference centre appears rather circuitous.

Apparently continuing a level of public service confusion which had marked the progression of this on-off funding request since 2012.

Indeed, by 2 January 2017 the then MLA for Wagga Wagga sent out a media release announcing the gun club funding grant before the bureaucrats had signed off on the still problematic business case.

When by midmorning of 23 January 2017 Ms. Berejiklian swopped horses, becoming NSW Premier on the retirement of Liberal MLA for Manly, Mike Baird, the Liberal Member for Epping Dominic Perrottet became NSW Treasurer and therefore the new chair of the Expenditure Review Committee (ERC).

The ACTA unresolved and unsatisfactory business case was still stumbling along on 2 April 2017 when it appears that no matter how one looked at the cost-benefit analysis of the proposal, any projected economic benefit being returned to that regional city, the Liberal-held electorate or the state as a whole, was likely to be less than the $5.5 million cost of upgrading & expanding that Wagga Wagga gun club.

By that April it had been about 4 years and 4 months since the then Liberal Member for Wagga Wagga had first written to then NSW Premier and Liberal Member for Ku-ring-gai, Barry O’Farrell, raising the subject of funding the gun club upgrade of it sporting facilities.

An ordinary person might be forgiven for thinking that by this time ACTA would have been losing support in Macquarie Street for the Olympic-level gun club and associated facilities it planned for Wagga Wagga.

However, evidence given at Operation Keppel public hearings suggest that staff members of Deputy-Premier and Liberal MLA for Monaro, John Barilario, were letting it be known that he supported the ACTA gun club proposal. Barilaro was also a member of the Executive Review Committee of Cabinet when first Berejiklian and then Perrottet chaired this committee as NSW Treasurer.

Mr. Barilaro’s staff allegedly telling at least one public servant assessing/ progressing the $5.5 million grant proposal that the gun club project was of special interest to Premier Berejiklian.

In June 2017 Regional NSW, Department of Premier and Cabinet appears to have sent the grant proposal to the Department’s Investment Appraisal Unit allegedly following a request by the Premier – there being a belief that the Premier’s Office & the Premier wanted the ACTA business case for a large clubhouse, conference facility and associated infrastructure revisited.

Across three successive NSW Coalition Governments it seem premiers and cabinet ministers have been prepared to spend an inordinate amount of public service time and money on progressing the desires of then Liberal MLA for Wagga Wagga.

To be continued......

As of 21 October in the Northern NSW Local Health District the total number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections has reached 111 men, women and children across 7 local government areas since the Delta Variant Outbreak began community transmission in this region in early September 2021

Descriptive approximation of SARS-CoV-2 virus
IMAGE: Red-Diamond / Shutterstock

NSW Health reported that as of 8pm on Thursday 21 October 2021 there has been a total of 67,024 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 confirmed since the NSW Delta Variant Outbreak was first reported on 16 June 2021 and, a combined total 72,710 cases since the SARS-CoV-2  pandemic began in New South Wales in February 2020. 

 That number includes 492 COVID-19 related deaths since 16 June, which represents 89.78% of all COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began.

 

There are currently 482 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital across the state, with 125 people in intensive care, 67 of whom require ventilation. 

 As of 21 October in the Northern NSW Local Health District the total number of locally acquired COVID-19 infections has reached 111 men, women and children across 7 local government areas since the Delta Variant Outbreak since community transmission in this local health district began in mid September 2021.

As at 22 October 2021 more than 100 people in Northern NSW have been cared for under an enhanced community-based virtual care service (based on the original NSW Hospital-in-the-Home service) which provides monitoring and clinical care for COVID-19-positive residents in Northern NSW who do not require admission to hospital.

Currently 2 people in Northern NSW are being cared for in hospital, one in Intensive Care.

As of 8pm on 21 October 2021 est. 31 people have contracted locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in the Clarence Valley Local Government Area from around 27 September onwards.

Further state-wide & Northern NSW COVID-19 updates can be accessed here:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/2021-nsw-health.aspx

https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/blog/category/media-releases/

For vaccination rate information go to this NSW Postcode & LGA interactive map:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/data-and-statistics#toc-map-of-nsw-vaccinations-by-home-postcode-and-lga

Labor Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin took the healthy rivers & water security concerns of residents in 7 Northern NSW local government areas to the Legislative Assembly - predictably former mining consultant & Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis spoke against her & over 10,000 petitioners

 

Petition Debate - Clarence Valley Mininghttps://t.co/tRTOm5Ro9G
On Thursday 14 October 2021, the Legislative Assembly of NSW debated the CCA No Mines petition calling on the LA to stop exploration or mining within the Clarence Valley and surrounding government area.

— ClarenceEnviroCentre💧 (@cecenviro) October 21, 2021

 

This video covers the full acceptance of petition debate concerning the "STOP CANGAI MINE" petition.

This debate was distinguished by the sheer number of misstatements of fact and untruths uttered by members of the NSW Perrottet Coalition Government.

 

COVID-19 State of Play: Northern NSW infection growth 15 to 19 October 2021

Between Friday 16 October and Tuesday 19 October 2021 there were 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases across postcodes 2460, 2462 & 2463 in the Clarence Valley Local Government Area,   In the same time period there was 1 case reported in Lismore LGA and 1 in Ballina LGA.

Up to 19 October there have been a total of 102 COVID-19 cases recorded in the Northern NSW Local Health District since the Delta Variant Outbreak entered north-east NSW on or about 13 September 2021 and within days community transmission started to spread into all 7 local government areas.  

It would appear that to date around 28 per cent of all people in north-east NSW infected in this outbreak reside in the Clarence Valley.

A brief overview of part of Day Two of 2021 NSW ICAC Operation Keppel investigation public hearings

 

Apparently the Liberal MP for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire first approached the NSW Minister for Sport Graham Annesley in September 2012 requesting the minister meet with the Executive Officer of the Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA), concerning the possibility of a government grant to upgrade the facilities of an existing regional gun club in his electorate.

At that time Liberal MP for Willoughby Gladys Berejiklian was Minisrer for Transport and it is understood from evidence given to ICAC in 2020 that the admitted close personal friendship of Maguire and Berejiklian began sometime between 2013 and 2015.

The outcome of that particular meeting was a ministerial request that funding be sought from within the then Liberal MP for Manly & NSW Treasurer Mike Baird’s portfolio. However as a low-priority project it was rejected for funding the 2013/14 state budget.

Sometime in January 2016 the Member for Wagga Wagga appears to have again written to Minister for Sport (now the Liberal MP for Penrith Stuart Ayers) advising that the Australian Clay Target Association’s original somewhat sketchy proposal had been tightened and reworked from an upgrade of the shooting range to the building of a suitable new clubhouse.

At that time Maguire informed the Minister for Sport that he had also approached the Treasurer. By this time Gladys Berejiklian had been NSW Treasurer since 2 April 2015.

It was also after January 2016 that the funding request had morphed into a plan to for ISSF level facilities as well as a new clubhouse and office complex.

It seems ACTA had $1.2 million set aside for this project and was requesting an additional $4.9 million in funding from the Baird Coalition Government.

Presumably for the Wagga Wagga club to compete for hosting rights to a World Cup event for trap shooting - even though there was already a large Olympic standard facility in Sydney.

By 20 June 2016. despite still being assessed as a low-priority project, the Minister for Sports, now the Liberal Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayers, apparently suggested a $40,000 grant for ACTA to develop a business case for the club.

BACKGROUND

19-10-2021 transcript	187	19/10/21	1989-2011	1.45pm to 2.48pm
19-10-2021 transcript	292	19/10/21	1936-1988	10.00am to 12.44pm
18-10-2021 transcript	260	18/10/21	1892-1935	2.00pm to 3.57pm
18-10-2021 transcript	271	18/10/21	1844-1891	10.00am to 1.09pm

Office of Premier & Cabinet as well as Treasury get a mention before Day One of 2021 Operation Keppel investigation public hearing takes a lunch break. 2/2

— no_filter_Yamba (@no_filter_Yamba) October 18, 2021

Current Deputy Leader of the NSW Liberal parliamentary party Stuart Ayers now mentioned as one who may possibly have pushed to have the Wagga Wagga grant approved asap. 2/2b

— no_filter_Yamba (@no_filter_Yamba) October 18, 2021

 

Do you know that in the NSW Parliament, the upper house ventilation system has been upgraded to ensure 8 exchanges of fresh air every hour on the advice of health experts. Our school kids get told to open a window. Want to change that? Then take a moment to sign this official e-Petition to Parliament

"An excellent COVID-19 safety plan has been developed for parliament that includes rapid antigen testing, mask-wearing, social distancing and upgraded ventilation systems. A strictly limited number of members would be permitted in the chamber and there will be remote online participation of members. As the opposition Whip in the Upper House, I have spent time examining the plan in great detail, and it is among the strictest set of work practices in our state’s workplaces." [Mark Buttigeig MLC, in The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 September 2021]

When it comes to a complete suite of COVID-19 pandemic health response measures across the entire population, first the Berejiklian and now the Perrottet, NSW governments have rarely been proactive unless pushed.

If the world we live in had attained true equality and equity our children would be having their schools fitted out with high quality ventilation systems, but they are not.

This e-petition set out below has yet to reach the 10,000 signature target which would mean it will be considered by the NSW Parliament.

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Outbreak & COVID-19 infection spread generally are far from over.

Please sign for the sake of kindergarten, primary & high school students across the state.

This petition is not the complete answer but it is a good start. Bringing community concerns right into the Legislative Assembly, where history through Hansard makes every single one of the current 93 members accountable. Make people power count!

NSW Parliament e-Petition with close date 21 October 2021:

Signing ePetition 

To sign the ePetition, confirm you are a resident of New South Wales and enter your title, first name and last name. Once you click ‘submit’ you will have signed the ePetition and will be re-directed to the Legislative Assembly’s ‘ePetitions open for signature’ page 

Covid-19 safety measures in schools: ventilation & air filtration 

To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, 

 We call upon the NSW government to take immediate action to ensure adequate ventilation is installed and maintained in Primary Schools. The current measures undertaken by the Department of Education to ensure windows and doors are able to be opened is not sufficient.

 

Covid-19 is an airborne disease. Ventilation, along with vaccination and vital covid-safe steps, are essential to keep children safe. Children under 12 years of age are not currently eligible for vaccination, so adequate ventilation in Primary Schools is a priority. 

 OzSAGE, a network of public health experts, believes ventilation in classrooms is a key requirement for the safe lifting of restrictions in NSW. Their stance is supported by both the CDC in the USA and the ECDC across Europe. 

 In the NSW Parliament, the upper house ventilation system has been upgraded to ensure eight exchanges of fresh air every hour on the advice of health experts. Our children should be afforded the same protection as our elected officials. 

 We are asking for a state-wide ventilation plan to include: 

• Carbon dioxide monitors to be installed in classrooms 

• Air purification devices (including HEPA filters) to be distributed 

 • Funding for shade sails to increase outdoor learning spaces and make it easier for classes to be conducted outdoors 

 With Kindy and Stage 1 children returning to classrooms on the 25th October 2021, we implore you to take urgent action to ensure our children’s health and safety.

To sign online go to:

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=rpEwNg2UB9+LpW1NhPZzdA==

BACKGROUND

"COVIDSAFE Plan to support the sittings of the Legislative Council (LC)" at:

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tp/files/80383/COVIDSAFE%20Plan%20to%20support%20the%20sittings%20of%20the%20Legislative%20Council%20-%20%20%209%20September%202021.pdf

Two enormous authoritarian egos battle for control of Australia's fate

 

NSW Premier Dominic Francis Perrottet (left) and Australian Prime Minister Scott John Morrison (right). IMAGE: Crikey, 6 October 2021

It has been painfully obvious since he first gained a federal government ministry that the Liberal prime minister of almost 200 social media 'nicknames', Scott John Morrison, is firm in his belief that his own political and personal decisions have the blessing of his god.

It is also becoming apparent that, in his turn, the current Liberal premier of NSW, Dominic Francis Perrottet, is unshakeably convinced his way is always the right way for the state and for the country.

The belief of both these proudly Christian, rigidly authoritarian, xenophobic, chauvinistic men in the rightness of their 'leadership', means they wield power with little thought to the public good or the safety of their citizens.

No matter how parlous their respective budgetary bottom lines are or how close economic neoliberalism is to their hearts, in the midst of a global pandemic is not the time for ego-driven 'one-upmanship' by the 'Prime Minister of NSW'  and the 'Premier of Australia'. 

Communities and families right across the country will suffer if these two politicians won't cease pawing the ground, tossing heads, snorting and bellowing, in a foolish attempt to establish dominance & territory.

Financial Review, 15 October 2021:

A couple of weeks ago, without consulting the states, the Prime Minister announced he would be re-opening the international borders in states where the vaccination rate had hit 80 per cent.

“It’s time to give Australians their lives back,” Scott Morrison said, in what appeared for all intents and purposes to be a move designed to ensure he was the bloke getting the credit for opening things up, whatever states and territories might be doing, not to mention giving the whole opening up thing a good nudge along the way.

The fact he hadn’t mentioned it to the states – despite the significant ramifications it has for them as the ones responsible for trying to manage the spread of COVID-19 and the quarantine system (offloaded by the federal government) – meant the Prime Minister could hardly complain on Friday when the new NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet returned the favour by announcing his government would be removing both quarantine requirements and caps on overseas arrivals from November 1.

Perrottet didn’t mention it to any of the other states either of course, leaving the country in an apparently ludicrous shambles of restrictions: as many people have pointed out, of being able to travel from Sydney to Paris, but not Brisbane, Perth, Tasmania, the Northern Territory or even Canberra.

The last vestiges of the “national plan” – if there were any after Morrison’s move on international borders – have thus been smashed: that is, the stated idea that no one would open up until everyone had reached 80 per cent, regardless of individual states’ vaccination figures.

There’s so much to contemplate in this development: the humiliation – if the federal government was apt to feel such a thing – of a state government appearing to unilaterally end quarantine arrangements (the responsibility of the federal government) and overseas arrivals caps for starters

It looked for all the world as if the state government was running the joint. Perrottet the premier of Australia. Just as Scott Morrison has been dubbed the prime minister for NSW.

Before Perrottet’s announcement, we had heard nothing this week from the PM since Monday – when he emerged out of The Lodge to once again try to share in the joy of (and credit for) the end of lockdown in NSW……

Read the complete article by Laura Tingle here.